Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance 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 heating costs; it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made over the winter season - from September to April - at the weekly rate of €33 or, if preferred, by way of two lump sum instalments - one in September and one in January. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.

In Budget 2023, I introduced a more generous means test for those aged over 70, with a higher means threshold of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. From 5^thJanuary 2024, the means thresholds for over those aged over 70 will increase to €512 per week for a single person over 70 and €1,024 per week for a couple. Applicants aged over 70 no longer need to be receiving a qualifying social protection payment and the threshold for the capital disregard increased from €20,000 to €50,000. For those aged under 70, the means threshold was increased by €80 and is now €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory for the household.

As part of Budget 2024, a €300 cost of living lump sum payment was paid to all recipients of the Fuel Allowance during the week commencing 20th November.

The Department generally collates data on an annual basis. Over the past 5 years, at the end of December each year, the records of the Department indicate that the Fuel Allowance scheme supported the following number of households:

In 2018, 380,463 households.

In 2019: 369,255 households.

In 2020: 375,269 households.

In 2021: 374,861 households.

In 2022: 393,767 households.

At the end of October 2023, there were 409,440 households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance. This is the highest number of households receiving the Fuel Allowance when compared to the previous five years reflecting the positive changes we have made to the means test.

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

Fuel Allowance is a demand led scheme and it has never been easier for people, especially those over 70, to apply for and qualify for Fuel Allowance.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.