Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures being taken to deal with the delays in processing of applications for fuel allowance for the over-70s under the new income criteria under the cost-of-living measures introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6160/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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. The budget measures, of most benefit to those over age 70, are effective from January 2023.

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.

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 Deputy 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 Deputy.