Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

247. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to the provision of the fuel allowance for a person (details supplied) taking into account the time already spent on the community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45231/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Fuel Allowance is a payment currently of €33.00 per week, for 28 weeks from October to April.

The purpose of the payment is to assist households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. Only one allowance is paid per household.

The Fuel Allowance payment is targeted towards those who are more vulnerable to energy poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.

If a participant on a Community Employment (CE) scheme was in receipt of Fuel Allowance prior to going on the scheme, they can continue to receive the Fuel Allowance payment while participating on the scheme once they continue to satisfy the qualifying conditions.

If the CE participant was not in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment prior to going on the CE scheme they may still apply for and qualify for Fuel Allowance.

It appears that there is no record in the department of a Fuel Allowance application being received from the customer referred to. A Fuel Allowance application form has been sent out from the Department to this individual. The customer has been advised to return the completed application form to the Department of Social Protection office at Springvalley, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

The application will be reviewed on receipt and a decision taken as to his entitlement or otherwise to Fuel Allowance.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

248. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the options and supports that are available to a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of rent allowance and whose landlord refuses to make the necessary repairs to their accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45281/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

According to Departmental records, the person concerned was awarded a Rent Supplement (RS) with effect from 01/04/2021 and is currently in receipt of a RS payment of €1,118 per calendar month.

Supports from this Department are not intended to cover circumstances where a landlord has a primary responsibility. Under S.I. No. 137/2019 - Housing (Standards For Rented Houses) Regulations 2019, it is the responsibility of a landlord to maintain their rented property in a proper state of repair. If the person concerned is having difficulty in this regard he should contact the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to seek advice. Further information is available at www.rtb.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter.