John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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171. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the projected number of recipients to benefit from the fuel allowance payment in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50772/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Fuel Allowance scheme is a means-tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is made over the winter season from September to April at the weekly rate of €33.00 or, if preferred, by way of two lump sum instalments, one in September and one in January. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.

In Budget 2025, a more generous means test was extended to those aged over 66, with a higher means threshold of €524 for a single person and €1,048 for a couple. Applicants aged over 66 no longer need to be receiving a qualifying social protection payment and the threshold for the capital disregard increased from €20,000 to €50,000. For those aged under 66, the means threshold is now €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory for the household.

At end August 2025, there were 410,000 households in receipt of a Fuel Allowance, which is an increase of over 8,000 from end August 2024.

Based on the trend over the last 3 years, it is estimated that an additional 15,000 households may qualify for Fuel Allowance by the end of 2025.

It should be noted that the number of recipients fluctuates as people join and exit the scheme, as their circumstances change.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.