Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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455. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the increase to the living alone allowance is calculable income when qualifying for the fuel allowance. [53078/22]

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.

When assessing the means of a Fuel Allowance applicant, in the case of applicants in receipt of the Increase for Living Alone (ILA), an increase to the allowable means equivalent to the ILA rate is applied. This ensures that the payment of the ILA will not affect the person's entitlement to the Fuel Allowance payment.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.