Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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139. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of expanding the fuel allowance to include those in receipt of the working family payment. [33247/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each fuel season) from October to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022.  The purpose of this payment is to assist qualifying households 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.

Fuel Allowance is a household payment and the circumstances and income of any other member of the household is taken into account when deciding a Fuel Allowance application.  Accordingly, it is very difficult to provide an accurate estimate for the proposed measure.  However, using certain assumptions, it is expected that it could cost an estimated €22.4 million in a full year.

The Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly, tax-free payment available to employees with children.  It gives extra financial support to families with children with rates depending on their incomes and family size.  It is not considered a long-term Social Protection payment, is not subject to a capital means test, and recipients are in full time employment.  A person in receipt of the WFP can continue to receive the payment for 52 weeks even if their income increases.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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140. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount of social welfare overpayments recouped after death in each of the years to 2021. [33248/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Overpayments of social welfare assistance and benefit payments arise as a consequence of decisions made under the relevant sections of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 (as amended).  Customers who have been overpaid social welfare have a liability to refund the overpayment as they have been in receipt of a payment to which they were not entitled. Some payments may have issued where a customer is deceased and there may have been a delay in notifying the Department.

Where an overpayment is raised, the Department makes every effort to recover the amount overpaid. Recovery is sought over a period without imposing undue financial hardship on the customer. The Department will work with the customer and consider personal circumstances in determining a repayment plan.

Paid After Death Overpayments 2018 to 2021

All figures rounded.

Almost 90% of all paid after death overpayments relate to state pensions.

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.