Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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125. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in Counties Carlow and Kilkenny that will benefit from the changes in criteria for the fuel allowance announced in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62025/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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In Budget 2026, it was announced that Working Family Payment will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance from March 2026. As of the end of October 2025, there are 665 people in Carlow and 871 in Kilkenny who are receiving Working Family Payment and are not living in a household where a Fuel Allowance is in payment. These recipients will potentially become eligible to receive Fuel Allowance in 2026, provided they fulfill the conditions for the payment.

It was also announced that from September 2026, people who move from Disability Allowance or Blind Person's Pension to take up work will be able to keep their Fuel Allowance for 5 years. As of the end of October 2025, there were 1,309 persons in Carlow and 1,616 persons in Kilkenny receiving Fuel Allowance on either Disability Allowance or Blind Person's Pension who could potentially benefit from this.