Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Government is committed to supporting households to control and meet energy costs through a combination of monetary supports as well as investment to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock. The household benefits package comprises the electricity or gas allowance and the free television licence, and is just one of a range of supports my Department provides to assist people with their fuel costs. My Department will spend approximately €273 million this year on household benefits, supporting more than 484,000 households. As part of the overall welfare budget package of €600 million in increases that I secured for 2022, I was pleased to be able to increase the fuel allowance payment by €5 per week, effective from budget night. The rate now stands at €33 per week and supports more than 375,000 customers, at an overall cost estimate for 2022 of €366 million. Other payments, such as increases for qualified children, the living alone allowance and the working family payment, are also shown to be effective in supporting those households who will be most challenged by increases in energy costs. Again, I was pleased to be able to bring forward increases in these payments, valued at €98 million in a full year, as part of budget 2022. Any decision to enhance the household benefits package would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of overall budget negotiations.

In addition to the regular weekly and monthly payments, the Department can also support people through the use of discretionary payments, including the exceptional needs payment and a special heating supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The recently announced electricity costs emergency benefit payment is a key measure being developed by the Government and led by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, to help mitigate the effects of the recent rise in electricity prices on all domestic customers.

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