Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
764. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection If an examination of improvements to key ancillary benefits such as the fuel allowance, household benefits package and living alone allowance to support vulnerable groups has occurred as per the Programme for Government; if not, when this examination is to occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34905/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government has committed to protect core welfare rates while ensuring that available resources are targeted at vulnerable groups.
As referenced by the Deputy, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the fuel allowance, household benefits package and living alone allowance to support vulnerable groups.
This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year. For example, there have been a number of expansions under recent budgets to the Fuel Allowance to make it more available to vulnerable cohorts. These improvements have resulted in many more households qualifying for the payment and have resulted in the Budget for the scheme increasing significantly with an estimated expenditure of €557.4 million on the scheme in 2026 compared to an expenditure of €290.45 million in 2020.
Budget 2026 provided for a €5 increase to the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance resulting in recipients receiving an additional €140 over the course of a fuel season.
Importantly, from a child poverty perspective, Budget 2026 measures also saw the Fuel Allowance extended to all recipients of the Working Family Payment from January 2026, benefitting some 50,000 families.
Finally, from September 2026 those moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up employment will continue to receive their Fuel Allowance for five years after exiting their payment.
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 cohorts. Any future decisions will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
