Written answers

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Social Welfare Rates

Photo of Mark WallMark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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1870. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing fuel allowance by €5 or €10 a week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44031/25]

Photo of Mark WallMark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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1871. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of extending the fuel allowance to 32 weeks at current rates; the estimated cost of increasing it by €5 or €10 a week at 32 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44032/25]

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1870 and 1871 together.

The cost of increasing the Fuel Allowance by €5 and €10 is as follows:

Weekly Increase to Rate of Fuel Allowance Number of Weeks Payable Number of Claims Estimated Additional Yearly Cost
€5 28 415,000 €58.1m
€10 28 415,000 €116.2m

The cost of expanding the Fuel Allowance season to 32 weeks at the current rate and also if increased weekly by €5 and €10 is as follows:

Weekly Rate of Fuel Allowance Number of Weeks Payable Estimated Number of Beneficiaries Estimated Additional Yearly Cost
€33 32 415,000 €54.78m
€38 32 415,000 €121.18m
€43 32 415,000 €187.58m

This costing is based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2025, and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.

The provision of any additional supports such as increasing the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.

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