Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1079. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there have been delays to the additional €100 fuel allowance payment; the number of eligible recipients who have received the lump sum payment; the number who are outstanding by eligible payment in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28966/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs.  The payment is a contribution towards heating costs, it is not intended to meet these costs in full.  The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33.00; or if preferred, by way of two lump sum payments; and is paid over the winter season.  Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.  Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.  At the end of 2021, the Fuel allowance was paid to some 375,000 recipients.

I made provision for a further additional €100 lump-sum payment to be paid to all households in receipt of fuel allowance in the last week of the 2021/22 fuel allowance season – a payment equivalent to over 3 weeks additional fuel allowance.  As the additional lump sum payment was payable to eligible customers in week commencing 16th May 2022, customers did not need to apply. 

In a small percentage of cases and for a variety of reasons (including where a death has occurred) further examination of eligibility on the relevant date is required.  This work is being carried out by my Department and the lump payment is then made to eligible customers. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.