Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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510. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the free fuel allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50050/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April to assist households with their energy costs.

Officials in my department are currently managing large volumes of applications for fuel allowance. If the person concerned has recently submitted an application for fuel allowance it will be dealt with in due course.

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.