Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2024
627. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of lone parents in receipt of the fuel allowance; the full-year cost of paying fuel allowance to lone parents who are €100 above the means test and also €75 above the means test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43995/24]
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 main schemes in my department that provide support to lone parents and are qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance are the One Parent Family Payment and the Jobseekers Transition Payment.
One Parent Family Payment and Jobseekers Transition Payment are both non-contributory means tested schemes, therefore those in receipt of these payments are deemed to have satisfied the Fuel Allowance means test.
There are 25,885 recipients of One Parent Family Payment and 13,016 recipients of the Jobseekers Transition Payment are in receipt of Fuel Allowance.
Increasing the allowable means for Fuel Allowance purposes as outlined by the Deputy would therefore not benefit this cohort of lone parents.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
