Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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572. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reasons fuel allowance has not been awarded to a person (details supplied). [33901/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April. One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test.

The person concerned applied for Fuel Allowance on 5 February 2025. It was decided that they were not entitled to the allowance as their means of €1,161.92 exceeded the income threshold of €1,048 to qualify. The decision letter that issued on 4 March included a breakdown of the means assessed. The means included the state pension and occupational pension of the person concerned as well as the state pension and employment income of their spouse.

If there is a change in their circumstances, it is open to the person concerned to reapply and their entitlement will be re-examined.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may award a supplement to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. This can include a heating supplement where a person has need for additional heating due to ill health or infirmity. All the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into account in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. If the person concerned thinks that they may have an entitlement to financial support, they should contact their local Community Welfare Office in the nearest Intreo ofice or the national community welfare services on 0818 607080.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.