Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
999. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for the fuel allowance was not granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37852/23]
View answerFuel Allowance (FA), under the National Fuel Scheme, may be payable to certain households in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments who are unable to provide for their heating needs. The allowance is subject to a means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.
The person concerned does not qualify for FA under the National Fuel Scheme as she is renting rooms in her house and the tenants living there are not exempt people for the purposes of the scheme.
The rent-a-room means disregard applies to FA applicants who rent out a room in their own home. This allows for up to a limit of €269.23 per week in respect of income from renting a room in their own home to be disregarded. However, the FA household composition criteria have not changed and existing rules still apply to all household members including those renting a room within the property.
The person in question can still claim Living Alone Increase and the Household Benefits Package while keeping tenants under the rent-a-room relief scheme. It is open to the person concerned to apply again for FA at any time if her circumstances change.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
