Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2024
273. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending fuel allowance to all recipients of social welfare payments in Budget 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37621/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for Fuel Allowance in the manner outlined by the Deputy would change the targeted nature of the Fuel Allowance payment and given rise to significant budgetary requirements for the scheme.
Any changes to the Fuel Allowance payment will have to be context of the overall Budget.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
