Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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455. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was not eligible to receive the fuel allowance; and if the decision can be reviewed. [47636/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week from October to April, to some 376,000 low income households to assist them 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.

In order to be eligible for fuel allowance, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfy a household means test and live alone or only with certain other qualified people.

The applicant concerned resides with their spouse, who is in receipt of Illness Benefit. Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for fuel allowance eligibility purposes. On that basis, the application for fuel allowance from the person concerned was disallowed and the person was notified in writing of this decision on 25th October 2017.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.