Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 333: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has completed his review of the cases of the 237 persons who have been denied the fuel allowance in winter 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34802/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Fuel allowances are not payable in situations where a person has access to his or her own fuel supply or is benefiting from a subsidised or low cost heating service, such as those provided by Dublin City Council at a number of its housing complexes. The basis for this condition is that the contribution that local authority tenants in communal heating situations make towards their heating costs is limited to a fixed and relatively small amount, typically around €6 per week, included as part of their overall rent charge.

Unlike other tenants and social welfare clients generally, who must buy their own fuel at prevailing retail cost, these tenants are subsidised significantly by Dublin City Council and the other local authorities concerned and thus are protected from increases in heating costs. To ease the burden on tenants, payments are spread over 52 weeks and in addition to heating each room, hot water is provided 24 hours a day for each day of the calendar year.

My Department carried out a review of the fuel allowance payments to ensure that the eligibility rules were being applied correctly and consistently. In the course of a routine review, it came to light that payments had been made in error to certain recipients who were in local authority accommodation with subsidised or low cost heating. The allowances in question, which should not have been put in payment in the first place, were withdrawn in these cases with effect from the start of this winter heating season.

Fuel allowance payments in previous years were made in error to these people; in some instances, fuel allowance was awarded because the applicant indicated that their heating costs were not being subsidised. While it may be inequitable to retain the allowance when neighbouring tenants in the same circumstances are not eligible and are managing their budgets accordingly, I am conscious of the particular circumstances which apply in the cases which the Deputy mentions. I am at present reviewing the situation as a matter of urgency.