Written answers

Thursday, 7 October 2021

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Departmental Data

Photo of James O'ConnorJames O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons availing of the fuel allowance per main qualifying payment in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48643/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The National Fuel Allowance season for 2021/2022 commenced on 27 September 2021. The aim of the means-tested scheme is to help qualified households in receipt of certain social welfare payments with their winter heating costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards their normal heating expenses; it is not intended to meet these costs in full. Only one Fuel Allowance is paid per household.

The Fuel Allowance, valued at €784.00 per household, is paid at the weekly rate of €28.00 for 28 weeks across the winter season, or by way of two equal lump sum payments of €392.00, payable at the start of the season and in early January 2022.

The number of Fuel Allowance recipients, per main qualifying scheme, as requested by the Deputy, is set out in the table below.

Scheme Name Number of qualified recipients
State Pension Contributory 77,246
Disability Allowance 75,394
State Pension Non-Contributory 54,139
Long-term Jobseeker's Allowance & PRETA + Farm Assist 47,643
Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension 41,168
One-Parent Family Payment 38,174
Invalidity Pension 16,130
Community Employment 8,019
Deserted Wife's Benefit 2,700
TUS 1,818
Rural Social Scheme 1,274
National Fuel Allowance 1,037
Supplementary Welfare Allowance 899
Widow(er)'s Non-Contributory Pension 865
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance 596
Blind Person's Pension 430
Occupational Injuries Pension 419
Incapacity Supplement 89
Deserted Wives Allowance 46
Guardians Payment Non-Contributory 9
Guardians Payment Contributory 8

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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