Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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419. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to consider increasing the fuel allowance thresholds for those in receipt of the contributory State pension and the non-contributory State pension in advance of Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50359/25]

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. These measures included increased allowable means for those aged over 70 of €500 and €1,000 for a couple. Those in receipt of the State Pension contributory and the State Pension non-contributory aged over 70 also benefitted from the enhanced allowable means.

As part of Budget 2025 the enhanced Fuel Allowance qualifying conditions were made available to those aged 66 and over and the allowable means was increased to €524 for a single person and €1,048 for a couple allowing more applicants to qualify for the payment.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Living Alone Increase to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year and I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable groups.

Any further changes to the criteria for accessing the fuel allowance scheme would require additional funding for the scheme and therefore any decision to increase the Fuel Allowance thresholds for those in receipt of the contributory State pension and the non-contributory State pension cannot be considered in advance of Budget 2026, but would have to form part of overall budgetary negotiations.

Finally, my Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. If your constituent believes that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment, they should contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.