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Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2026

Thursday, 24 September 2026

Ceisteanna (71)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

71. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households that will receive the fuel allowance in the 2026/2027 season, by county. [67287/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Fuel Allowance scheme is a means-tested payment that assists qualifying households with their heating costs during the winter season.  Budget 2026 extended eligibility for Fuel Allowance to recipients of the Working Family Payment, increasing the total number of households expected to benefit from the scheme to 470,000.

Based on the most recent county-level data provided for August 2026, the estimated number of households that will receive Fuel Allowance in the 2026/2027 fuel season by county set out below.

Note: The figures represent the most recent available departmental data.  As the Fuel Allowance scheme is demand-led and the number of qualified households continuously fluctuates as recipients join and exit the scheme, final recipient numbers for the 2026/27 season may differ from these estimates.

County

Fuel Allowance Households

Carlow

7,100

Cavan

8,800

Clare

12,400

Cork

49,100

Donegal

22,800

Dublin

101,300

Galway

24,100

Kerry

17,200

Kildare

16,900

Kilkenny

9,300

Laois

8,700

Leitrim

4,500

Limerick

21,000

Longford

6,000

Louth

15,300

Mayo

17,300

Meath

15,500

Monaghan

7,100

Offaly

8,800

Roscommon

7,700

Sligo

7,900

Tipperary

19,800

Waterford

14,500

Westmeath

9,500

Wexford

19,800

Wicklow

13,000

Total

465,400

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