William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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690. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures his Department will take to support households facing increased energy and housing costs, particularly low-income and vulnerable groups; the number of persons that have benefitted to date from targeted schemes such as the fuel allowance and supplementary welfare allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62225/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides direct support towards energy costs to qualifying low-income households, through schemes such as the Fuel Allowance Scheme, Household Benefits Package as well as through Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.

The Fuel Allowance Scheme is means tested and assists pensioners and other welfare dependent householders with meeting the cost of their heating needs during the winter season. The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks giving a total per recipient of €924 each year from October to April at an estimated cost of €400 million in 2025. Over 417,000 households are in receipt of the payment.

As part of Budget 2026 the Government provided for a number of improvements to the Fuel Allowance scheme. From January the Fuel Allowance will be increased by €5 per week to €38. This will support over 450,000 households who most require Government support with their energy costs.

Also, in recognition of the importance of helping low paid working families, the Fuel Allowance is extended to Working Family Payment recipients. This will benefit over 43,000 families and is a significant measure in tackling child poverty. This measure will be paid from March next year but their entitlement to the Fuel Allowance scheme will be backdated to January.

Also, from September 2026, those who move from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to Employment will be able to retain the Fuel Allowance for 5 years.

The Household Benefits Package is universally available to those aged 70 and older, and those between 66 and 70, must meet certain qualifying criteria. The Household Benefits comprises the Electricity/Gas Allowance of €35 per month and the Free Television Licence Scheme which is worth €160 per year with a total value per year of €580. Over 532,000 households are in receipt of the Electricity/Gas element of the Household Benefits package at an estimated cost of €224 million in 2025.

Additional Needs Payments are available for people who have essential expenses, which they cannot meet from their own resources, including people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills. In addition, a Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people that have exceptional heating costs due to ill health, infirmity or a medical condition and are unable to meet those costs out of household income. Heating Supplement is not restricted to the fuel season and can be paid throughout the full year.

Up to the end of September 2025 there were just under 1,800 Additional Needs Payments made towards household bills and heating, at a cost of €983,000. At the end of September 2025 there were 685 Heating Supplement claims in payment.

In response to supports towards housing costs, the main supports provided are under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. However, Rent Supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme supporting 6,306 active recipients at the end of September 2025. Additional Needs Payments are also available to assist with rent deposits or rent in advance.

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.