Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

85. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is considering expanding the criteria for the fuel allowance for the winter lockdown 2021 given that more workers and families are being asked to stay in their homes for the period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1421/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year) from October to April, to over 370,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021. The purpose of this payment is to provide a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full.

The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible, and so it is focussed on long term payments where an applicant satisfies a means test.

As this House knows, the Government has put unprecedented resources into a range of supports for workers and families during these extraordinary times.

As part of that, and based on ESRI research, the Government targeted budget increases at the Fuel Allowance, the Qualified Child Allowance and the Living Alone Allowance to boost the incomes of the poorest in our society. This resulted in the Fuel Allowance being increased from the start of this year by €3.50 per week to €28, thus ensuring that recipients benefitted during the coldest part of the year.

The supports in place are kept under constant review and amended in keeping with changing circumstances. In that context it is worth noting that at this time we have the vaccination program in progress, restrictions are being eased, many people are returning to work, and people are able to meet outside again.

Finally, my Department does provide support under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to people who may be having difficult with their utility bills.

Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.