Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

124. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will outline her Department's consumer protection strategy in the wake of a recent report (details supplied) which showed the numbers unable to heat their homes more than doubled in 2022. [15176/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While the consumer protection strategy referred to by the Deputy is primarily a matter for the Energy Regulator and Suppliers, I made a number of significant changes in Budget 2023 which will assist low-income households with rising energy costs.

A number of considerable reforms were made to the Fuel Allowance scheme designed to provide a major expansion of the scheme. From January 2023, a new Fuel Allowance means threshold was introduced for people aged 70 years and over. The new means threshold is €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 was increased from €20,000 to €50,000.

The weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 was increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory). Similarly, the allowable means for Household Benefit Package (HHB) purposes for those aged between 66-69 not in receipt of a qualifying payment was also increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory).

As part of the Government's cost of living measures in Budget 2023, an Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment was paid to Social Protection recipients in October.

In November, a €200 Lump Sum Payment was paid to pensioners and people with a disability receiving the Living Alone Allowance, a €500 Cost of Living Payment was paid to people receiving Carer’s Support Grant and a €500 Cost of Living lump sum was paid to people in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension. A €400 additional Lump Sum payment was also paid to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance Payment. A double month of Child Benefit was paid and a €500 lump sum payment was made to people in receipt of Working Family Payment.

In December, a Christmas Bonus Double Payment was paid to 1.3 million Social Protection recipients including pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.

From January 2023,the maximum rate of core Social Welfare rates was increased. There were proportionate increases for qualified adults and for people getting a reduced rate. The weekly full rate for a qualified child increased to €42 for children under 12 years of age and to €50 for children aged 12 years and over.

In addition, the enhanced electricity credit of €600 is another important Government measure, which was announced in the Budget. This benefitted all households.

As well as the €2.2 billion of supports in Budget 2023 and underlining the government’s continued commitment to address the increased cost of living being experienced by people, an additional €410 million social welfare package will be paid to families, pensioners, carers and people with disabilities in April.

The Government will continue to monitor the imapct of engery costs and will, as it has to date, take appropriate responses as necessary.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.