Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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1067. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to review the decision not to award the household benefits package to (details supplied). [12363/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Household Benefits Package comprises of an Electricity or Gas allowance and a Free Television Licence. Only one Household Benefits Package is payable per household. The payment is made on a monthly basis.

The Package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. It is also available to some people under age 66 who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. For customers aged 70 or over, there is no requirement to be in receipt of a qualifying payment or to satisfy a means test.

The person concerned applied for the Household Benefits Package on 27 January 2025. The application was disallowed as the person concerned did not satisfy the means test. A letter issued to the person concerned on 5 February 2025 to advise her of this decision.

The Household Benefits Package application of the person concerned has been reviewed. It has been decided to award the Package (a Cash Electricity Allowance and Free Television Licence) with effect from the 70th birthday of the person concerned on 5th June 2025. A letter has issued to the person concerned on 13 March 2025 to advise her of this decision.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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1068. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in receipt of carer's allowance a qualifying payment for fuel allowance, had their fuel allowance application refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12523/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Fuel Allowance is a means-tested payment to help with the cost of heating a home during the winter months, payable to people who either live alone or with certain other qualified people.

An application for Fuel Allowance was received from the person concerned on 17 December 2024.

The application was assessed by a Deciding Officer. The claim was disallowed as the person concerned did not satisfy all the qualifying conditions. The household of the person concerned included people that are not eligible for the purposes of Fuel Allowance.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 28 February 2025.

If there any changes in the circumstances of the person concerned which they think might qualify them for Fuel Allowance, they may submit a new application form or request a review.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.