Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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617. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for a cut in a fuel allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47415/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Fuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs. 

The main eligibility conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with other qualifying persons.  The fuel allowance means test is linked to the maximum rate of the state pension (contributory).  The applicant and their spouse can have a combined weekly household income of €100.00 above the maximum rates for state pension (contributory) and Increase for qualified adult and still be eligible for a fuel allowance. 

The person concerned is in receipt of two occupational pensions in addition to their State pension entitlements, which brings their assessable means over the permissible weekly means for fuel allowance qualification purposes.   Details of other means held by the couple (e.g., bank statements) were therefore not requested.  The person was notified in writing on 5 November 2019 that they do not qualify for fuel allowance.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.