Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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384. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review a fuel allowance claim by a person (details supplied) considering that the refusal is as a result of the applicant receiving 5% disablement benefit as a result of an industrial accident many years ago and in view of the minimal amount of disablement benefit being received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44738/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The National Fuel Scheme applies to persons in receipt of long-term Social Welfare payments who satisfy a means condition and who are living alone or who only with the persons who come within certain categories.

Fuel Allowance is not payable where a claimant is in receipt of certain non-qualifying payments from the Department. Non-qualifying payments include Disablement Benefit, Illness Benefit, Jobseekers Benefit and Carers Benefit.

On 8 June 2022 the person concerned applied for Fuel Allowance. This application was refused as they are in receipt of Disablement Benefit. A further review was carried out by a Deciding Officer which upheld the original decision as the Fuel Allowance is not payable to any member of a household where Disablement or any of the above non-qualifying payments are in payment.

I have asked officials in my Department to prepare a report reviewing the treatment of Disablement Benefit under the Fuel Allowance scheme. This report is now being finalised and the report's contents and recommendations will be considered in the context of the forthcoming budget.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.