Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is fairly clear that there will be moves in regard to the fuel allowance in the budget next week. The fuel allowance is a great payment and is most welcome at the rate at which it is paid because it is extremely important for households. However, it is only extremely important for the households who actually receive it in the first place. There are issues, some of which were outlined by Deputy Healy Rae, such as the 15-month waiting time for jobseekers and the fact that those who are in receipt of illness benefit because they are out sick from work do not qualify for these payments.

In a major study this year the St. Vincent de Paul outlined that nearly 20% of working people are cutting back on fuel and electricity due to costs. These are people who are at work. Those in receipt of the working family payment cannot qualify for the fuel allowance. It is very clear that we need to go beyond the fuel allowance in the budget. A specific discretionary fund for utility costs should be considered.

See this speech in context