John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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83. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the recipients of the fuel allowance, by county, in tabular form; his plans to expand the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50641/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance 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 future decisions will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources.

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.

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. The allowable means for those aged 66 and over was increased to €524 a week for a single person and to €1,048 a week for a couple.

The number of recipients by county is as follows: -