Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

136. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of successful applicants for fuel allowance in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32983/23]

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

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 winter 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 instalments (payable in September and January). Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.

The Department generally collates data on an annual basis. In September 2022, at the start of the 2022/23 Fuel Allowance season, there were approximately 369,000 households in receipt of Fuel Allowance. By the end of the 2022/23 Fuel Allowance season, in April 2023, the number of households supported increased to over 404,000.

The increase in Fuel Allowance recipients was due to the measures implemented as a result of Budget 2023, announcing the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme.

The changes introduced, from January 2023, were:

- the introduction of a new means threshold for people aged 70 years and over, of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple;

- for applicants aged 70 or over, the amount of capital (savings and investments) disregarded in the means test for Fuel Allowance was increased from €20,000 to €50,000. (Savings over €50,000 are assessed on a proportionate basis only);

- the weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 was increased by €80 and is now €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory; and,

- Disablement Benefit and Half-rate Carer’s Allowance payments were disregarded when assessing means for Fuel Allowance purposes. Disablement Benefit also no longer debars a household from receiving the Fuel Allowance payment.

The number of successful applications processed between January 2023 and the end of April 2023, amounts to just over 30,000. This number does not represent all successful applicants for 2023, as further new applications will qualify on the reopening of the new 2023/24 Fuel Allowance season, from September 2023 onwards.

It should be remembered that the number of qualified households continuously fluctuates, as recipients join and exit the scheme as their circumstances change.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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

The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2023 is €95 million.

It is important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is a secondary benefit linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit. As many illnesses or physical conditions have an impact ranging from mild to severe, entitlement to these social welfare schemes is not provided on the basis of a diagnosis but on the basis of the impact of that diagnosis on the individual concerned and in the case of Disability and Carer's Allowance to an assessment of their means. In this way, resources can be targeted to people in most need.

I am aware of an ongoing campaign by Epilepsy Ireland. I fully recognise the issues and difficulties that can arise due to a person being diagnosed with epilepsy and who is unable to drive as a result of their condition.

I have met with representatives of Epilepsy Ireland to discuss its proposal in detail and following the meeting I asked my Department officials to examine the issues raised in relation to access to the Free Travel scheme.

As previously advised to the Deputy, I am awaiting a report from my officials on the issues raised by Epilepsy Ireland. I expect to receive the report shortly and will carefully consider its contents and any recommendations that it may contain.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.