268. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households in Offaly consisting of a person aged over 70 who are entitled to claim the Household Benefits Package; the number currently receiving the payment; and the number not in receipt of the payment, in tabular form. [66245/26]

The Household Benefits Package comprises the Electricity/Gas Allowance (€35 per month) and the Free Television Licence Scheme (€160 per year) – with a total value per year of €580.

The Household Benefits package is available to those aged 70 or over regardless of means and household composition, however there is no automatic entitlement to the payment and similar to many other Social Welfare benefits a person aged over 70 must submit an application form to determine entitlement.

To qualify for the Household Benefits Package applicants aged over 70 must be legally resident in the State and no other person in their household can be in receipt of the allowance.

Furthermore, the applicant must be the registered consumer of electricity/gas if she or he is applying for an Electricity Allowance or Natural Gas Allowance. The applicant must also register for the Public Services Card when requested to do so by the department.

The Department of Social Protection wants to ensure that everyone who may be entitled to the Household Benefits Package is aware of the scheme and understands how to apply. The Department encourages anyone who wishes to check their eligibility to the Household Benefits Package to call the helpline on 0818 200 400 and select the Household Benefits Package option.

At the end of August 2026 there were 6,269 distinct recipients of the Household Benefits Package aged 70 or over in Offaly.

The Department of Social Protection does not publish official statistics on estimated eligibility for the Household Benefits Package, given the methodological complexities and data gaps, which militate against the production of reliable estimates.