Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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512. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will clarify the changes in relation to fuel allowance in Budget 2023 (details supplied). [50094/22]

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 year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. Only one allowance is paid per household.

In Budget 2023, I was pleased to announce the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance Scheme. As part of this, from January 2023, a new means test will be introduced for over 70s. Under the new means test, a single person over 70 will be able to have income of €500 per week and a couple will be able to have income of €1,000 per week and still qualify for Fuel Allowance

Also, from January 2023, the standard means test for persons under 70 will be increased by €80 from €120 to €200 over the maximum rate of State Pension Contributory. In addition, the Disablement Benefit and the half-rate Carer's Allowance payment will be disregarded when assessing means for Fuel Allowance purposes.

It is estimated these measures combined will bring up to 81,000 households into the Fuel Allowance Scheme. My Department is already working on developing the IT and administrative systems to give effect to these changes.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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513. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will extend the appeal timeframe for social welfare refusals from 21 days to 30 days to allow for GP's letters to be issued to applicants ahead of the winter. [50112/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

In the case of a decision made by a Deciding Officer/Designated Person of the Department, any person who is dissatisfied with that decision may, by giving notice of appeal to the Chief Appeals Officer within the statutory time limit of 21 days from the date of the decision, have the question referred to an Appeals Officer for determination. A notice of appeal made after the 21-day period may be accepted with the approval of the Chief Appeals Officer.

The notice of appeal must contain a statement of the facts and contentions upon which the person concerned intends to rely. The statutory procedures require that the notice of appeal be accompanied by whatever documentary evidence the person concerned wishes to submit in support of the appeal. In practice, however, documentary evidence such as medical letters submitted subsequent to the notice of appeal will be considered by the Appeals Officer.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.