Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

178. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to clarify his Department's understanding on the position of charities who previously gave funding to support individuals struggling to pay electricity bills (details supplied). [64142/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While I am aware of the support that ALONE provides to older people to allow them to age at home, my Department has no role in the funding position of the charity concerned.

My Department does provide direct support towards energy costs to qualifying low-income households, through schemes such as the Fuel Allowance Scheme, the Household Benefits Package as wells as through Additional Needs Payments.

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. As part of Budget 2026 I was delighted to announced that the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance will increase by €5 to €38 a week from January 2026. This equates to €1,064 in a fuel season.

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 as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, are provided to people who have essential expenses, which they cannot meet from their own resources, including people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills.

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.