Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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465. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 458 of 13 October 2022, the basis on which long-Covid does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005; the reason that her Department does not intend on revising this position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53238/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Covid-19 does not constitute a prescribed disease or illness as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as it does not meet the criteria laid down in the Act. Section 87 (2) of the Act states that a disease or injury shall be prescribed for the purposes of this section in relation to any insured persons, where the Minister is satisfied that—

(a) it ought to be treated, having regard to its causes and any other relevant considerations, as a risk of their occupations and not as a risk common to all persons, and

(b) it is such that, in the absence of special circumstances, the attribution of particular cases to the nature of the employment can be established or presumed with reasonable certainty.

My Department reviews its supports and schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives. The Department is monitoring the European Commission's work and recommendations in this area.

Any changes to the current system would need to be considered in an overall policy, legislative and budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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466. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for a widower's pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53247/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned is currently participating on a Community Employment Scheme. As a result, their application for Widow(er)’s & Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension has been disallowed.

The person concerned has been advised to contact Widow(er)’s & Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pensions Section when they are due to finish on the Community Employment Scheme, so that their application can be reopened.

Where a person in receipt of Disability Allowance dies, the payment may continue for a period of six weeks after death in certain circumstances. The main provisions relating to payments after death are contained in Section 248 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005.

I can confirm that a cheque issued on 20 October 2022 for four weeks after death payment as two weeks payment was already paid into the account of the deceased on 31 August 2022 and 07 September 2022.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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467. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53248/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The purpose of the Fuel Allowance payment is to assist households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household.

The Fuel Allowance payment is targeted towards those who are more vulnerable to energy poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.

If a participant on a Community Employment (CE) scheme was in receipt of Fuel Allowance prior to going on the scheme, they continue to receive the Fuel Allowance payment while participating on the scheme, once they continue to satisfy the qualifying conditions.

If the CE participant was not in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment prior to starting on CE they may still apply for and potentially qualify for Fuel Allowance.

From 1 September 2022, the period a person must be in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance or Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) to access the Fuel Allowance scheme, was reduced to 12 months. This will also benefit people on CE who previously have been in receipt of the above payments for greater than 312 days but who did not meet the 390-day requirement.

A fuel allowance application form will be sent to the person concerned. The completed form should be returned to the Intreo Centre, Edenderry, Co Offaly and the person’s entitlement to a Fuel Allowance will be reviewed.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.