Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:348. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first year and full year cost of expanding the fuel allowance threshold by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% respectively. [46587/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 June 2026
Ceisteanna (348, 361)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:361. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated first year and full year cost of expanding the fuel allowance by one week; and the cost of doing so while increasing the threshold by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% respectively, in tabular form. [46600/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 361 together.
The estimated cost of expanding the Fuel Allowance season by 1 week is as follows:-
|
Number of Additional Weeks Payable |
Weekly Rate of Fuel Allowance |
Number of Recipients |
Estimated Additional Cost |
|
1 |
€38 |
468,000 |
€17.78 million |
The costings are based on the number of recipients in May 2026 and are subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
Taking account of the fact that the Fuel Allowance is a household-based payment and that qualification is not just based on the means test but on a number of other qualifying criteria such as household composition, it is not possible for my Department to provide an accurate projection of the potential cost of expanding the Fuel Allowance threshold by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% respectively. Also, my Department does not maintain records across all schemes of the amount by which unsuccessful Fuel Allowance applicants are over the income threshold.
The provision of any additional supports would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.