Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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How many people were actually paid the fuel allowance? What did it cost? People on the household benefit package were impacted just as much as others. I am aware that the fuel allowance is means tested and is specifically for people who need it. However, under the household benefit package many people are having gas or electricity paid for. Those people did not get paid that extra amount. How many people are on that package and how much would it cost to pay them the fuel allowance? They were still badly impacted, and were told to put on their heating so that they would not get cold or ill.

Social Justice Ireland brought out a report last week which stated that more than 100,000 working Irish people are at risk of poverty. The research found that 780,000 people live in poverty in Ireland today, and that over one quarter of those are children. The point was made that tax credits are not refundable. That should change. Has the Department looked at that idea? I do not know whether the Minister has seen the report or not. I can send it to her. Social Justice Ireland said that the failure to make tax credits refundable is totally unacceptable.