Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
760. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the date on which the current rates and structure of the electricity allowance and natural gas allowance under the household benefits package were last formally reviewed or revised; and the outcome of that review. [29796/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra761. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any cost-of-living, inflation or domestic energy price benchmarking formed part of the most recent review of the electricity allowance and natural gas allowance; and if so, to provide details of the methodology used. [29797/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra762. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the current weekly and daily equivalent monetary value of the electricity allowance and natural gas allowance; and the basis on which these rates were determined. [29798/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra763. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the equivalent value in today's terms of the electricity and natural gas allowance at the time of the last substantive review when adjusted for inflation and energy price increases; and if she will provide the data sources used for this calculation. [29799/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra764. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether her Department has conducted any assessment of the adequacy of the electricity allowance and natural gas allowance in meeting current household energy costs; and if so, to provide details of that assessment [29800/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra765. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated proportion of an average household electricity or gas bill currently covered by the electricity allowance and natural gas allowance; and how this compares to the proportion covered at the time of the last review. [29801/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra766. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether consideration has been given to revising the structure of the electricity and natural gas allowance to reflect seasonal usage patterns, including higher consumption during winter months; and if so, to outline any proposals. [29802/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra767. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has examined the previous unit-based system of energy support, including winter and non-winter allocations; and whether any comparative analysis has been undertaken with the current allowance structure. [29803/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra769. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether a further review of the electricity allowance and natural gas allowance is planned in advance of Budget 2027; and if so, the timeline and scope of that review. [29805/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 760, 761, 762, 763, 764, 765, 766, 767 and 769 together.
The Household Benefits Package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The Department of Social Protection will spend approximately €317 million this year on the Household Benefits Package.
In Budget 2013 the structure of the electricity and gas allowance was changed from a unit-based allowance to a cash credit which is currently €1.15 per day. The rate was aligned to the best average market rate available for 150 units including standing charges and VAT at the urban rate but not including the Public Service Obligation. The changed structure of the allowance was designed to encourage customers to achieve better savings through greater mobility between energy suppliers who can best meet their individual energy needs.
There has been no review or increase to the gas/electricity element of the Household Benefits Package since the gas/electricity element was changed from a unit-based allowance to a monthly cash allowance in January 2013. The department instead has targeted the limited resources available to it at increases to core Social Welfare payments and also to more targeted payments such as the Fuel Allowance payment.
Since 2013 the weekly rate of payment of Fuel Allowance has increased from €20 to €38, a 90% increase, with the budget for the scheme also increasing significantly during the same period from €228.44 million in 2013 to an estimated expenditure in 2026 of €557.4 million. Also since 2013 weekly core Social Welfare payments such as the Contributory State Pension has increased by 30% from €230.30 to €299.30.
My department does not hold data outlining the equivalent value in today's terms of the electricity and natural gas allowance at the time of the last substantive review when adjusted for inflation and energy price increases. Nor does it hold data on the estimated proportion of an average household electricity or gas bill currently covered by the electricity allowance and natural gas allowance and how this compares to the proportion covered at the time of the last change to the payment.
Any decision to enhance the Household Benefits Package, including any decision to revise the structure of the electricity and natural gas allowance to reflect seasonal usage patterns, is likely to have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Living Alone Increase to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of the department's budget planning each year and I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable groups. There is no set timeline or scope when examining key ancillary benefits such as the Household Benefits Package; however, any proposed changes must take account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
I trust this clarifies the position.
