Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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447. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review an issue (details supplied) in relation to D stamp pensioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52955/22]

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. 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

Those age 70 or over will also no longer be required to be in receipt of a qualifying Social Welfare payment to be able to access the Fuel Allowance payment. All other relevant qualifying conditions for the Fuel Allowance payment will have to be satisfied.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.