Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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1001.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients of fuel allowance in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form.[35435/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Fuel Allowance is a means-tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs. The payment is made over the winter season - from September to April - at the weekly rate of €33 or, if preferred, by way of two lump sum instalments - one in September and one in January. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.

In Budget 2023, I introduced a more generous means test for those aged over 70, with a higher means threshold of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. From 5th January 2024, the means thresholds for over those aged over 70 increased to €512 per week for a single person over 70 and €1,024 per week for a couple. Applicants aged over 70 no longer need to be receiving a qualifying social protection payment and the threshold for the capital disregard increased from €20,000 to €50,000. For those aged under 70, the means threshold was increased by €80 and is now €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory for the household.

The Department generally collates data on an annual basis. Over the past 5 years, at the end of December each year, the records of the Department indicate that the Fuel Allowance scheme supported the following number of households:

It should be noted that the number of qualified households continuously fluctuates, as recipients join and exit the scheme as their circumstances change.

Fuel Allowance is a demand led scheme and it has never been easier for people, especially those over 70, to apply for and qualify for Fuel Allowance. Payments for the 2024/25 Fuel Allowance season will issue from week commencing Monday, 23rd September 2024.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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1002.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients of child benefit in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form.[35436/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Child Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves. In May 2024, Child Benefit became payable to 18 year olds.

The number of recipients of Child Benefit for the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024 is set out in the table below.

I trust this clarifies the position for the deputy.