Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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725. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department will consider routinely contacting those who turn 70 years of age to inform them of their eligibility for the household benefits package, in order that it is not missed or overlooked by possible claimants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55507/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Household Benefits Package comprises an electricity or gas allowance and a television licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment, or who satisfy a means test.The package is available to some people under age 66, who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.

The majority of those who qualify for Household Benefits do so as a result of being awarded a primary qualifying payment. Primary qualifying payment award letters inform customers of their possible entitlement to the Household Benefit Package.

For those who may be eligible without being in receipt of a qualifying payment, information about the package is widely available to inform customers about their possible entitlements across the Department's own network of offices countrywide, as well as the Citizens Information Service offices, in addition to the range of information available online through gov.ie and citizens Information websites in particular relating to social welfare entitlements.

Additionally, an information campaign was run to raise awareness of the Household Benefit package and the easy-to-use online application service over a two-week period in August. The campaign included advertisements on radio, in print and on social media.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.