John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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143. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons over 66 who have qualified for the fuel allowance since the expanded means test for over 66s was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33040/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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As announced in Budget 2025, from the 1^st January 2025, the Fuel Allowance qualifying conditions for those aged over 70 were extended to those aged over 66 and the means threshold increased to €524 for a single person and €1,048 for a couple.

In December 2024, there were 221,459 recipients aged 66 and over in receipt of Fuel Allowance. Under the new criteria, the number recipients of Fuel Allowance rose to 223,650 aged 66 and over in January 2025. The number of recipients of Fuel Allowance peaked to 225,464 aged 66 and over in March.