Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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53. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the Government will commit to protecting and maintaining the current fuel subsidy rates in the upcoming budget for 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29612/15]

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 approx. 415,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €208 million in 2015. It is a means tested payment, targeted at those who are more vulnerable to energy poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with a contribution towards their energy costs. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.

Separate to this fuel allowance, my Department also provides an allowance for electricity or gas as part of the household benefits package to approx. 415,000 customers, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2015.

The Government will continue to ensure that those on low incomes and those who are more vulnerable to energy poverty are supported through the fuel allowance and the household benefits package.