Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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52. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend payments under the fuel allowance, in view of the unseasonably colder weather after 3 April 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18739/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The fuel allowance is a payment of €20 per week for 26 weeks from October to April, to 415,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €208 million in 2015. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.

My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance as part of the household benefits package to 415,000 customers, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2015.

I am not in a position to extend the criteria for these schemes or the current value of the allowances.

The best way to tackle fuel poverty in the long term is to improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling. My Department is currently working closely with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on these issues and in moving forward the actions agreed in the Energy Affordability Strategy. The Better Energy Homes scheme provides support towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades including solar and thermal.