Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for his question. As he knows and referred to, the programme for Government has committed to protect core welfare rates while ensuring that available resources are targeted at vulnerable groups. The programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the fuel allowance, household benefits package and living alone allowance to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of my Department's budget planning each year. For example, there have been a number of expansions under recent budgets to the fuel allowance payment which will make it more available to vulnerable cohorts. In January 2023, enhanced fuel allowance measures for people aged 70 and over were introduced. In budget 2025, these enhanced fuel measures were extended to all those aged 66 or older. These measures include a new means threshold of €524 for a single person and €1,048 for a couple.

In addition, the amount of capital disregarded in the means test for fuel allowance was increased from €20,000 to €50,000. Savings of more than €50,000 are assessed on a proportionate basis only.

Other measures include the weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 has increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of contributory State pension. Disablement benefit and half-rate carer's allowance payments are now disregarded when assessing means for fuel allowance purposes. Disablement benefit no longer disbars a household from receiving the fuel allowance payment. Budget 2025 has also allowed for carer's allowance to be considered a qualifying payment for fuel allowance since last January.

As part of the budget planning process, I will continue to consider any improvements that can be made to ensure these benefits are continued in a targeted manner so that the vulnerable people who need them are getting the support. As the Deputy will be more than aware, any future decisions will have to take account of the availability of financial resources.

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