Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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117. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients of the fuel allowance scheme for each of the past four years; the associated cost of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27628/24]

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 households with their heating costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.

The records of the Department indicate that the number of households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment and the cost of the scheme over the past four years is as follows: -

The number of recipients is based on the end of December figure for each year requested. The increase in costs for 2022 and 2023 relate to additional lump sum payments made to customers in receipt of Fuel Allowance in those years. The 2023 Fuel Allowance cost is a provisional figure and included a €300 per household cost of living measure paid in November 2023.

Funding of €381.6m has been provided in respect of the Fuel Allowance for 2024.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.