Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2024
302. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will advise regarding the expansion of the fuel allowance to people on employment support schemes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38752/24]
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.
I recently announced that for the upcoming Fuel Allowance season, the period a person spends on a Community Employment Scheme, Rural Social Scheme or Tús can be counted when assessing if a person satisfies the qualifying period criterion for Fuel Allowance purposes.
Therefore, claimants who move to these Employment Support Schemes who were previously in receipt of short-term Jobseeker’s Allowance or Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance can accrue entitlement to Fuel Allowance while on the scheme.
This measure will benefit those that leave a qualifying social welfare payment to engage in an Employment Support Scheme.
Furthermore, those who move onto a qualifying social welfare payment for Fuel Allowance such as Jobseekers Allowance or Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance, following completion of these Employment Support Schemes, will also be able to use the period spent on the Employment Support Scheme to satisfy the payment period requirement.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
