Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

150. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will be reviewing the criteria for providing the fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8263/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The criteria for Fuel Allowance are in place to direct the limited resources available to my department in as targeted a manner as possible. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty.

As part of Budget 2025, there were a number of changes to the eligibility for Fuel Allowance. Carer’s Allowance become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance from January 2025, subject to meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the Fuel Allowance means test. From January 2025, the enhanced over 70’s Fuel Allowance qualifying conditions was extended to people aged 66 and over.

It is estimated that up to 9,200 households will benefit from these changes to the eligibility conditions.

Any further decision to amend the qualifying criteria for Fuel Allowance can only be considered in a wider budgetary and policy context.

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

151. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the projected cost of increasing the domiciliary care allowance to 18 years of age from the current age limit of 16; the number that would be eligible based on current recipients; what consideration has been given to such a policy change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8580/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To calculate the cost of extending Domiciliary Care Allowance to parents/guardians when their child turns 16 and 17, it is necessary to look at the number of children currently aged 14 and 15 whose parents/guardians currently receive the payment. In 2024, there were 5,539 children aged 15 and 5,693 children aged 14. The approximate cost of extending Domiciliary Care Allowance to these 14- and 15-year-olds when they turn 16 and 17 would be an additional €71 million per year. This costing assumes the 2025 monthly rate of €360 and the annual Carer's Support Grant of €2,000 are paid in respect of these 11,232 recipients.

One of the key proposals in the Green Paper on Disability Reform was to extend Domiciliary Care Allowance to 18 years of age. The Green Paper was a consultation document. Based on the feedback received during the public consultation the process was discontinued.

Any future reform of disability payments, will be considered as part of a broader review of disability matters on a whole-of-government basis and will take account of the feedback received during the Green Paper process.