John McGahon (Fine Gael)
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Those are good examples, and I appreciate that. I accept the working family payment is not a qualifying payment for the fuel allowance but there are 20 other qualifying social welfare payments for the fuel allowance. When I googled a recent parliamentary question, the reply stated 46,000 families are in receipt of the working family payment. This year, when we have increased the fuel allowance thresholds more than ever before and 371,000 people now getting the fuel allowance, of the 46,000 families in receipt of the working family payment who do not qualify, how many may not qualify for any of the other 20 qualifying social welfare payments? The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul's statement pointed out that 46,000 families do not qualify for the fuel allowance because they are on the working family payment but there are 20 other qualifying payments so I am trying to figure out who is falling between the gaps here. Ms Petrie can come back to us in writing but I am trying to figure out how many people do not qualify for any of those payments and as a result are falling through the gap and not getting a fuel allowance payment.