Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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359. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the fuel allowance in each year from 2010 to 2013; the annual cost of the scheme; the cost that would be associated with restoring the scheme to 32 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32444/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The average numbers of recipients of fuel allowance for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 were approximately 333,100, 387,700, 397,900 and 403,500, respectively. Expenditure on fuel allowance was €228.8m in 2010, €265.8m in 2011, €211.4m in 2012 and €226.7m in 2013. An extension of the fuel allowance season from 26 weeks to 32 weeks would cost an estimated €45.4 million in 2015 and in a full year. Any changes to the fuel allowance scheme could only be considered in a Budgetary context.