Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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179. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to the free fuel allowance. [6237/23]

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.

The Fuel Allowance for the person concerned was awarded from 06 January 2023. They were notified in writing on 03 February 2023.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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180. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of additional people aged over 70 years who have benefitted to date from the widening of the eligibility criteria around fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6260/23]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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200. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the levels of take-up of the newly increased fuel allowance thresholds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6404/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 200 together.

The Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment to assist long-term social welfare dependent householders and those aged 70 and over 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 over the winter season at the weekly rate of €33.00 or, if preferred, by way of two instalment payments. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.

As part of the overall social welfare Budget 2023 package of €2.2 billion, I was pleased to secure a major expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme, expected to benefit up to 81,000 additional households during this fuel allowance season.

Since the budget announcement, my officials have put additional measures in place so that Fuel Allowance applications are processed as efficiently as possible. A number of changes were made to the Department’s IT systems and additional staffing resources are in place to help process the increased number of applications received. A telephone service is also in place to support customers.

A new streamlined online application service was opened on 5 December 2022 to assist applicants, especially those over 70, to apply for the payment at a time and place that suits them. A new shorter paper application for those over 70 is also available to download from the Governments website, gov.ie. In early December, an information campaign commenced to raise awareness about the payment and the new online service, particularly amongst those over age 70.

The Department generally collates data on an annual basis. As of the end of December 2021, the Fuel Allowance scheme supported approximately 375,000 households. By the end of 2022, the number of households supported had increased to almost 394,000. It should be noted that the number of recipients fluctuates as people join and exit the scheme as their circumstances change.

Precise information on the number of applicants under age 70 who benefited from the increase in the weekly means threshold, from €120 to €200, is not readily available as Fuel Allowance is paid in conjunction with primary social welfare schemes across a number of IT systems with differing functionality for recording processing activity. As the Department upgrades these systems, it is expected that this data will become available in the future.

The budget measures, of most benefit to those over age 70, are effective from week commencing 2 January 2023. As at the end of January 2023, some 14,800 applicants aged 70 and over have qualified for Fuel Allowance since the start of the 2022/23 season [on 26 September 2022]. Of these, some 10,400 have qualified with effect from 2 January 2023 (or later where applicable).

I am informed that higher than normal levels of applications continue to be received from those aged 70 and over. The pensions areas are working through these applications as quickly as possible and expect to have processed the vast majority over the coming weeks.

I can assure the Deputies that where an application is awarded, there will be no loss in payment to the qualified households concerned as the payment will be backdated as appropriate.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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181. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department will undertake a review of the means assessment criteria for social protection allowances and benefits, in order to widen the eligibility criteria for people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6261/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Means tests in my Department are kept under regular review and a number of significant changes have been made in recent years. In particular, I have introduced a number of changes to means testing which provide for higher income disregards.

I have committed to a carrying out broad review of means testing this year which will include a review of criteria across social protection allowances and benefits.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.