Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an Irish person who worked in England for a number of years but now lives here can claim fuel allowance from England; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15785/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The European Court of Justice has recently ruled that pensioners living outside the United Kingdom who are receiving a UK State pension are entitled to be paid the UK winter fuel payment. This fuel payment is an annual tax-free payment made to eligible people to help towards their winter heating costs. It is a lump sum and in most cases is paid automatically, but some people need to claim. The total amount of winter fuel payment can vary from £100 - £300 sterling having regard to age and household composition. Most payments are made between mid- November and December in a given year. A person’s entitlement to this payment is a matter for the authorities in the United Kingdom and my Department cannot advise on the eligibility of individual applicants. My Department has made arrangements to publicise the eligibility conditions and application procedure for the UK winter fuel payment on its website and through the Citizens Information website. The information has also been made available via Twitter.

The implications of this ECJ judgment are currently being examined, in particular the implications for eligibility for the fuel allowance in Ireland which is paid on the basis that an applicant is unable to provide for his or her own heating needs.