Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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257. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will indicate the eligibility for fuel allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55935/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April.

Under the current qualifying conditions, a person will not qualify for Fuel Allowance if they or a member of their household is in receipt of Disablement Benefit. As the person concerned is in receipt of the State Pension Contributory and their spouse is in receipt of Disablement Benefit, they are currently not eligible for Fuel Allowance. 

As the Deputy may be aware, I recently announced that, as part of the Budget 2023 package, Disablement Benefit will no longer be a disqualifying payment, and will be disregarded in the means assessment, for Fuel Allowance with effect from 2 January 2023.

I acknowledge receipt of a Fuel Allowance application from the person concerned.  This application will be examined to decide their entitlement from January 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position.