Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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151. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the improvements he is planning in relation to the fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32978/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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There have been significant improvements made in recent years to the Fuel Allowance Scheme. These improvements have resulted in many more households qualifying for the payment.

In 2023, the enhanced Fuel Allowance measures for people aged 70 years and over were introduced. Disablement Benefit and Half-rate Carers Allowance payment was disregarded when assessing means for Fuel Allowance purposes. Disablement Benefit also no longer prevents a household from receiving the Fuel Allowance payment.

In 2024, the allowable means for those aged 70 and over was increased to €512 a week for a single person and to €1,024 a week for a couple. Periods spend on Community Employment, Tús or the Rural Social Scheme can now be used to satisfy the 312-day requirement for Fuel Allowance.

Furthermore, when a person signs back on to a Social Welfare payment such as Basic Supplementary Allowance or Jobseekers Allowance the period spent on the course can also be used to satisfy the 312-day requirement.

In Budget 2025, Carer’s Allowance became a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, and the enhanced over 70’s Fuel Allowance qualifying conditions were extended to people aged 66 and over.

My Department's schemes such as the Fuel Allowance Scheme are reviewed on an ongoing basis as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable cohorts. Any future decisions will, of course, have to take account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.