Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's original question also referred to the ESRI report on fuel poverty so I will refer to that. The report explores the issue of energy poverty and deprivation in Ireland. The Government recognises the pressures families are under in respect of energy prices and have taken a range of steps, including targeted and universal measures.

As part of budget 2022, a number of expansions to the eligibility criteria for the fuel allowance payment were announced at that time. The weekly means threshold for the fuel allowance scheme was increased to €120 above the appropriate rate of contributory State pension. With effect from the start of the next fuel season, the qualifying period for jobseeker's and supplementary welfare allowance recipients to access the fuel allowance payment will be reduced from 15 to 12 months. The rate of the fuel allowance was also increased by €5 a week with immediate effect.

As part of the Government measures to help mitigate the effects of rising energy costs, additional lump sum payments of €125 and €100, equivalent to almost seven weeks additional fuel allowance, were paid to all households in receipt of the fuel allowance payment in March and May. This means that low-income households saw an overall increase of 55% in fuel allowance support provided during the fuel allowance season. When taken in conjunction with the electricity costs emergency benefit payment, paid in April, these households received over €600 in additional targeted Government supports over the course of the 2021 to 2022 fuel season.

The Government has reacted quickly not only with social protection measures but also having implemented a wide range of initiatives covering tax, energy credits, excise and transport measures. The Department also supports people through additional needs payments and through a special heating supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. All of these measures will be kept under review, together with trends in prices, to inform preparations for the budget later this year.

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