Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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260. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if, given the unseasonably cold and wet weather throughout April, May and to date in June, and the consequent necessity for heating to be on and open fires to be lit in the period, she will consider the reinstatement of the fuel allowance for eligible people back dating it to the date of the final payment of the fuel allowance in April, up to and including, the week commencing 17 June, in order to assist the less-well-off with the additional costs incurred upon them through necessity caused by the unseasonably low temperatures and inclement weather; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26796/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.

The provision of any additional supports such as reinstating the Fuel Allowance payment would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.

My Department does provide Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have essential expenses, which they cannot meet from their own resources. Additional Needs Payments, where appropriate, can be paid to people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills. Additional Needs Payments are not restricted to the fuel season and can be paid throughout the year.

The decision process for Additional Needs Payments involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. This ensures that support is provided to people with the greatest financial need.

Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via .

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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261. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a disability allowance appeal by a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26924/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions. The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 27 March 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 19 June 2024, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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262. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on the status of an appeal for carer’s allowance for a person (details supplied); when a decision will be reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26945/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 16 February 2024. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. Once those papers were received the case was referred to an Appeals Officer on the 8 April 2024, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.