Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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394. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the new income thresholds for fuel allowance are coming into effect on 1 January 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61748/22]

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.

In Budget 2023, I secured funding for the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme. It is estimated that this expansion could bring up to 81,000 additional households into the scheme. The changes announced take effect from the 2nd of January.

For applicants aged 70 and over, there is a new means test limit of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. Under the formula used to assess means for the Fuel Allowance for over 70s, the threshold for capital that is disregarded in the assessment will increase from €20,000 to €50,000. Also, from next January, an over-70 applicant no longer needs to be in receipt of a qualifying payment. Existing household composition rules continue to apply.

For applicants under age 70, the weekly means threshold is being increased by €80, from €120 to €200 above the appropriate weekly rate of State Pension Contributory.

Also from January 2023, Disablement Benefit and Half-Rate Carer's Allowance payments will be disregarded when assessing means for Fuel Allowance purposes.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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395. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is in receipt of their full social welfare entitlements. [61759/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 27 January 2016. According to the records of my Department, they have a total of 1,510 qualifying paid and credited social insurance contributions for the period from their date of entry into insurable employment, 18 July 1966 to end of December 2015 which equates to a yearly average of 30 contributions.

This gives entitlement to State pension (contributory) at the current weekly rate €227.70. In order to qualify for a maximum rate of pension, a yearly average of 48 contributions is required. The person concerned is in receipt of the correct rate of State pension (contributory), commensurate with their social insurance record held by my Department.

I have arranged for a copy of the person’s social insurance contribution record to issue to them. If they consider that they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to my Department and their pension entitlement can be reviewed.

The person concerned is also in receipt of the Household Benefits package. It is also open to them to apply for the Fuel allowance. Although the quickest and easiest way is to apply online at www.mywelfare.ie, I have arranged for a fuel allowance application form to issue.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.