Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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55. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is not receiving fuel allowance even though they are on a rural social scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37337/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Participants on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) are paid a fuel allowance where they were in receipt of the allowance prior to commencing on the scheme and where they continue to satisfy the conditions for that payment. A person who was not in receipt of a fuel allowance prior to commencement on any of the Department’s work placements schemes cannot qualify for that payment during their placement. The person in question had not established an entitlement to fuel allowance prior to commencing on the scheme.

All social welfare and work placement schemes, including the fuel allowance and RSS, are operated on the basis of publically available guidelines, which ensure fairness and consistency in determining eligibility. Full details on the criteria for the fuel allowance are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.