Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs.  The payment is a contribution towards heating costs, it is not intended to meet these costs in full.  The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33.00; or if preferred, by way of two lump sum payments; and is paid over the winter season.  Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.  Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.

Based on the information available to my department, the persons concerned, who are in receipt of a State Contributory Pension (SPC), have not made an application for the Fuel Allowance scheme.

As part of the overall social welfare Budget 2023 package of €2.2 billion, I announced an additional lump sum payment of €400.00 to households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment. 

The additional payment of €400.00 was paid to all households in receipt of Fuel Allowance in the week beginning 14th November 2022.  Those in receipt of weekly Fuel Allowance payments received their weekly payment of €33.00 plus the additional payment of €400.00, and those who received their payment by lump sum received the additional lump sum payment of €400.00. 

The €400.00 lump sum will also be paid to all those whose entitlement to Fuel Allowance commenced on or before week beginning 14th November 2022, even though their claim may be decided later than that week.

The additional €400.00 payment was issued automatically to all recipients of Fuel Allowance; they did not need to contact my Department.  

To make an application, the quickest and easiest way to apply is online at mywelfare.ie.  Alternatively, if the person concerned is unable to access online services, an application form for Fuel Allowance has been issued to the person concerned and their entitlement can be examined when they submit the completed application to the National Fuel Scheme Section in Sligo.  Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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69. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for the fuel allowance in the case of persons (details supplied); when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61081/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The 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.  One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test.  

Following recent representations, a Fuel Allowance application issued to the persons concerned. To date, there is no record of receipt of a Fuel Allowance application. On receipt of the completed application their entitlement will be examined, and they will be notified of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy. 

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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70. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for the carer’s allowance in the case of persons (details supplied); when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61082/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 9 November 2022.

CA was awarded on today's date 5 December 2022 and the person concerned will be notified directly in writing of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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71. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a carer’s allowance application will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61121/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 13 October 2022.

The application was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 21 October 2022 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.

The inspector interviewed the person concerned on the 7 November 2022 and requested additional documentation.  A reminder email issued on 17 November 2022 regarding the outstanding requested documentation.  No correspondence has been received from the person concerned to date.

Following a report from the SWI on 2 December 2022, the claim for CA will be disallowed on the basis that the customer failed to reply and has not submitted the means information requested by the SWI.  

The person concerned will be notified of this decision in writing the reason for it and of the right of review and appeal.

There is also a separate application for CSG and that is currently with a Deciding Officer and the person concerned will be notified once a decision has been made.

I hope this clarifies the position for the deputy.