57. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on any review carried out by his Department of social protection supports aimed at reducing energy poverty among older persons, people with disabilities and those living alone ahead of Budget 27; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67563/26]

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 a 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.

Recent expansions to the Fuel Allowance Scheme have resulted in a significant increase in the Budget for the scheme with an estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2026 of over €557 million, compared to expenditure of €290 million in 2020.  Examples of this expansion are as follows:

• Budget 2026 allowed for people on Disability Allowance and Blind Pension to retain Fuel Allowance for a period of 5 years if they leave the payment to take up employment from September 2026.

• In January 2023, enhanced Fuel Allowance measures for people aged 70 years and over were introduced.  These included a new means threshold of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple.  In addition, for people aged 70 or over, the amount of capital (savings and investments) that is disregarded in the means test for Fuel Allowance was increase from €20,000 to €50,000.  Savings over €50,000 are assessed on a proportionate basis only.  The means threshold has been increased in line with core Social Welfare payment budget increases and now stands at €534 for a single person and €1,068 for a couple.

• The weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 was increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory).  The means threshold is now €499.30 for a single person and €698.70 for a couple.

• Budget 2025 allowed for the enhanced Fuel Allowance measures announced in Budget 2023 for those aged over 70 to be available to those aged 66 and older.  The enhanced measures included a new weekly means threshold, which now stands at €534 for a single person and €1,068 for a couple.  In addition, the amount of capital that is disregarded in the means test was increased from €20,000 to €50,000.  A person aged 66 or over also is not required to be in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection.

• Budget 2025 allowed for Carers Allowance to be considered a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance from January 2025.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Living Alone Increase to support vulnerable groups.  This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year and I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable groups.  Any future decisions, including any decision to introducing higher income disregards or revised means-test thresholds for those with dependent children will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources.

Finally, 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  http://www.mywelfare.ie.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.