Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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327. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the per diem rate of payment for electricity allowance for the years 2010 to 2026, in tabular form; the way this rate is calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23147/26]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Household Benefits Package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The Department of Social Protection will spend approximately €317 million this year on the Household Benefits Package for over 552,000 customers.

The rate of payment of the Household Benefits electricity allowance for the years 2010 to 2026 is listed below. Prior to 2013 the rate of electricity allowance was a monthly rate of payment.

In Budget 2013 the structure of the electricity and gas allowance was changed from a unit-based allowance to a cash credit which is currently €1.15 per day. The rate was aligned to the best average market rate available for 150 units including standing charges and VAT at the urban rate, but not including the Public Service Obligation. The changed structure of the allowance was designed to encourage customers to achieve better savings through greater mobility between energy suppliers.

There has been no recent increase to the gas/electricity element of the Household Benefits Package since the gas/electricity element was changed from a unit-based allowance to a monthly cash allowance in January 2013. Successive Governments have instead targeted the limited resources available at increases to core Social Welfare payments and also to more targeted payments such as the Fuel Allowance payment. In 2010 the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance payable was €20, the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance currently payable is €38. This represents a 90% increase in the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance payable since 2010.

Any decision to enhance the Household Benefits Package would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.

Finally, my Department does provide income tested Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers and include help towards recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary.

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 .

I trust this clarifies the position.