Winter fuel payment
Deputy Brady questioned whether the winter fuel payment received from England would continue for people in Ireland after Brexit-related changes. The Tánaiste said the common travel area arrangements should protect such supports, but would ask the line Minister to answer and later undertook to inquire further.
For the 2017 to 2018 fuel season 31,565 people living in Ireland received the winter fuel payment from England. For some who do not qualify for the fuel allowance in this State it is the only financial support they receive towards their fuel costs. I have been raising concerns with regard to this payment with the Minister for a number of months. Twice in the past week I submitted questions to the Minister on this issue but twice I received a reply that did not answer the question. It is a massive concern for the more than 30,000 people living in this State who receive the payment. Will the winter fuel payment continue to be paid to people in this State if a deal is reached between Britain and the EU 27 and if there is a no-deal Brexit? A simple "Yes" or "No" answer will suffice.
Comment on this
I would like to allow the line Minister to give the Deputy a full answer. Certainly my understanding is that under the memorandum of understanding for the common travel area and the omnibus legislation we passed social welfare payments and supports will continue as they have been. I do not want to say this definitively. If the Deputy has asked questions of the Minister I would like her to give him the answer.