Written answer
Social Welfare Benefits
The Minister said heating supplements remain available year-round on a discretionary basis for illness or infirmity, alongside Fuel Allowance supporting 26% of households.
19. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions his Department is taking to extend access to the heating supplement. [67655/26]
Comment on this
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. It is a demand led scheme.
Under the scheme, my Department may award a supplement to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. This can include a heating supplement where a person has need for additional heating due to ill health or infirmity. The Heating supplement is not restricted to the fuel season and can be paid throughout the year.
Entitlement is decided by the Community Welfare Officers administering the scheme. All the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into account in order to ensure that the payments target to those most in need of assistance.
In addition to the Heating supplement, the Fuel Allowance Scheme is available to assist pensioners and other welfare dependent householders with meeting the cost of their heating needs during the winter season. The Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment. Fuel Allowance eligibility encompasses 22 qualifying schemes, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the support available to eligible households. In addition to these qualifying schemes, people over 66 do not need to be in receipt of a payment from this Department to qualify for Fuel Allowance. According to the latest CSO data, there are just over 1.8 million households in Ireland. Of these, 463,910 households are eligible for the Fuel Allowance scheme, representing approximately 26% of all households nationwide. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses.
Due to the targeted nature of the Fuel Allowance Payment, the Government views the Fuel Allowance Payment as an important measure in helping to combat energy poverty.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to the Heating Supplement 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.