2118. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the eligibility for fuel allowance on behalf of a person (details supplied). [63983/26]

Fuel Allowance is a means-tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs; it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made over the winter season - usually from end September to early April - at the weekly rate of €38 or, if preferred, by way of two lump sum instalments of €532 - one in September and one in January. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.

To qualify for a Fuel Allowance, a person aged under 66 must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and either live alone or with other qualified people.

There is no record of the person concerned having been in receipt of Fuel Allowance previously. The person is in receipt Illness Benefit, which is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, and a half-rate Carer's Allowance. Therefore, the person concerned does not have an entitlement to Fuel Allowance. Further details on the qualifying conditions for Fuel Allowance are available at www.gov.ie/fa.

It is open to the person concerned to make an application for Invalidity Pension which, if awarded, is qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance. Further information on the Invalidity Pension and how to apply are available at www.gov.ie/invp.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.