Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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79. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a report was commissioned on the fuel stamps scheme of a charity (details supplied) to determine the scope for expanding the scheme nationally per the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty 2016-2019; and if so, if a copy of same will be provided. [11579/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department provided funding for the administration of the St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) operated 'Stay Warm saving scheme' on a pilot basis between 2015-2017.  During this time, the Department provided approximately €170,000 which was used to cover scheme running costs including staff expenses, marketing and promotion, and printing costs.  The SVP submitted a review of the scheme to the Department towards the end of the pilot period but the Department did not pursue involvement in a national rollout of the scheme. A key focus of my Department since then has instead been the enhancement of SEAI energy efficiency retrofitting supports available to lower income households and significantly increasing the funding available for these schemes. Funding levels increased from €20 million in 2016 to €109 million in 2021.

During this period the Fuel Allowance season was also extended by the Minister for Social Protection and income supports were increased. The Fuel Allowance has increased from €22.50 per week during the 2016/2017 heating season to €28 weekly from 4 January 2021. The Fuel Allowance payment, which is equivalent to €784 each year, is provided to an average of 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021 to assist these households with their energy costs. In addition, the Minister for Social Protection also provides an electricity or gas allowance under the Household Benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €265 million in 2021.