Written answer
Energy Prices
The Minister said Fuel Allowance supports 463,910 households, with its weekly rate increased to €38 and the 2026 season extended by four weeks. He said the Department is reviewing ancillary benefits and that Additional Needs Payments remain available for people facing exceptional energy costs.
29. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures his Department is considering to assist households facing high energy costs as winter approaches, particularly in rural counties such as Mayo where many households remain reliant on oil and solid fuels; and if he will make a statement on this matter. [67594/26]
Comment on this
34. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he has assessed the adequacy of the fuel allowance for households that have no alternative to oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67558/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 34 together.
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, subject to satisfying the means test. 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 Programme for Government has committed to protect core welfare rates while ensuring that available resources are targeted at vulnerable groups.
As part of Budget 2026, I increased the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance by €5. This increased the weekly rate payable by 15%, from €33 to €38 a week or to €1,064 per fuel season. In addition, in March this year, I extended the 2026/2027 Fuel Allowance season, by four weeks. This added an additional €152 to households in most need of support and increased the fuel season amount to €1,216 in 2026. The estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2026 is of €557.4 million.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the fuel allowance, household benefits package and living alone allowance to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year.
I am aware that there may be exceptional circumstances where a person does not qualify for Fuel Allowance but may need support, and it is for this reason that the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. 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 www.mywelfare.ie.
I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to examine improvements to key ancillary benefits to ensure that these benefits continue to support vulnerable cohorts.