John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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247. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for long term carers contributions (details supplied) will be expedited. [54469/25]

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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248. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the fuel allowance can be paid to a qualifying household when there is a change of circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54527/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to the Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria, this ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.

A change in the qualifying criteria such as including adult children who are undertaking an apprenticeship and not in receipt of a qualifying social protection payment, would change the targeted nature of the scheme.

I understand however that there will always be exceptional cases and it is for this reason that my department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to 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 trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.