Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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266. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for the fuel allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49202/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Fuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs.

The main eligibility conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with other qualifying persons. The current threshold for the fuel allowance means test is €120.00 above the maximum weekly rate of state pension (contributory) and the maximum weekly rate if an Increase for Qualified Adult allowance (IQA) is payable. In this case the threshold, based on their household, is €600.30.

Following a means assessment, it was determined that the household means are €815.72. This exceeds the permissible weekly means for fuel allowance qualification purposes. Where applicants exceed the permissible income limit, marginally or otherwise, there is no scope for discretion. The application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 29 September 2022.

As the Deputy is aware, I recently announced an increase in the fuel means threshold for those aged over 70, €500 for a single person and €1000 for a couple from January 2023 without the need to be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment.My officials are currently working to put in place the necessary arrangements to ensure that the payment of the fuel allowance to those newly eligible will be made early in the new year.It is open to the person concerned to submit an application at that time.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.