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

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs. As part of the overall welfare budget package of €600 million in increases secured for 2022, I increased the fuel allowance payment by €5 per week, effective from budget night. I also increased the weekly income threshold for fuel allowance by €20, which enables more people to qualify for this support. Further Government measures were recently announced to help to mitigate the effects of rising energy costs. As part of these measures, totalling over €500 million, an additional lump sum payment of €125 was paid to all households in receipt of the fuel allowance payment. It is estimated that this additional lump sum will cost €49 million. This lump sum payment, in addition to the budget increase, will mean low-income households will receive an increase of 41% this fuel allowance season when compared to last season. The recently announced electricity costs emergency benefit payment is another key measure and it will be paid in addition to the gas and electricity element of the household benefits package to qualifying households. Approximately 2.1 million households will benefit by €200 each from the new scheme. The combined worth of these payments to fuel allowance recipients is €325, which is the equivalent of almost ten weeks of additional fuel allowance payments. Furthermore, due to the continuing rise in inflation and as part of the economic consequences of the tragic conflict in Ukraine, the Government recently reduced excise duty on fuel.

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