Fuel Poverty

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of a recent report (details supplied) that shows that more than 60% of those in fuel poverty are not in receipt of fuel allowance, the measures he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67336/26]

It is shocking and shameful that in one of the richest countries in the world, one in seven households cannot afford to heat their homes or pay their energy bills. Some 400,000 households went without heating during the past 12 months. Many of those who are struggling with that - it is 64%, according to the ESRI - do not get any assistance at all because they are over the threshold for the fuel allowance. Will the Minister do anything about that to help people who are getting no assistance and who cannot pay their energy bills?

Fuel allowance eligibility encompasses 23 qualifying schemes, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the supports available to eligible households. In addition to these qualifying schemes, people over the age 66 do not need to be in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection to qualify for fuel allowance, subject to the means test. According to the most recent CSO data, there are just over 1.8 million households in Ireland. Of these, 463,910 are currently eligible for the fuel allowance scheme. That is 26% of all households nationwide. The report the Deputy is referring to is the Energy Poverty and Affordability in Ireland report. While the report does recommend broadening the eligibility requirement, it highlights that the fuel allowance is a well-targeted policy instrument in our effort to combat energy poverty. It also highlights that the allowance is effective in reducing the likelihood of people experiencing energy poverty. The figures used in the report are based on survey on income and living conditions, SILC, data from 2024. In the two years since, we have expanded the fuel allowance system to include the nearly 50,000 families who were brought into scheme this year by means of the extension of the fuel allowance to recipients of the working family payment. In addition, in the period since the 2024 SILC survey, the allowable means for fuel allowance was increased in 2025 and in 2026 for those aged 66 and over. The allowable means for those aged 66 and over now stands at €534 per week for a single person and up to €1,068 per week for a couple. The amount of savings and investments that are disregarded was also increased for those aged 66 and over, from €20,000 to €50,000. All of these - the rate measures and the one off payments that were made - have resulted in a significant investment in respect of dealing with fuel poverty, but I absolutely acknowledge and am very aware of the challenge that exists. We continue to negotiate our budget package on fuel. Energy is very much at the heart of that package.

Any of the improvements made since 2024 have been wiped out by Trump's warmongering and the profiteering of energy companies. The situation is set to get worse. The proof of that is that more than 500,000 households are currently in arrears on either their gas or electricity bills and that a massive chunk of people, in the region of 60%, who are suffering and will struggle even more this winter than last are not eligible for the fuel allowance. Last night, the Government made the shameful decision to vote down our proposal which would have given €500 to every single household and more to those with a disability by taking €1 billion from the billionaire owners of data centres who are getting electricity at half the price of people who are struggling. It voted that down. Does the Minister know what the energy gap, as it is known, is? That is the gap that would take everyone out of energy poverty. It is €480. If the Government is not going to do what we asked last night, will it at least extend eligibility for the fuel allowance to those who need help?

Eligibility for fuel allowance has been extended and has changed extensively over the past number of years. We introduced 50,000 new families into it. It is the first time fuel allowance has been extended to those on working incomes. It is something I want to continue that those in lower-paid jobs get support. Almost €557 million is being invested in the fuel allowance scheme and we are negotiating in the context of budget 2027 a very significant energy package across Government. The fuel allowance will form part of that. I note the Deputy’s proposal, and other proposals on how we can target the fuel allowance more to assist people. We engage with families across the country. I thank those in the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, which engaged with energy companies on people's behalf. The fuel allowance, the Deputy has to admit, is significant and targeted and it is acknowledged as being targeted in the context of the report the Deputy framed his question on.

Yes, but 60% of people suffering energy poverty do not get it and that situation is going to be worse this winter because of Trump’s warmongering - the man for whom the Government rolled out the red carpet in the past week or so. While it seems the Government is not willing to extend the fuel allowance to those who need it, it wants to continue to give €1 billion a year to data centres so that they can get energy at half the price of the people who cannot turn on the heating this winter. It is unbelievable. It shows really twisted priorities. The Government will not help people who will literally be shivering with the cold this winter, afraid to turn on electric heaters, but it will give half-price electricity to the billionaire owners of the data centres. The money is there if the Government wants to at least give the fuel allowance to people over that threshold, although we would go further. It is completely unfair. People are going to suffer real hardship this winter unless the Government does something.

We have invested in this. Since 2020, an additional 100,000 households have qualified for the fuel allowance. As I said, we have gone through the extension of means for older people in particular and since 2020, we have invested €290 million in the fuel allowance. In 2026, we will invest €557 million and, subject to the budget negotiations, that will continue and grow. I am going to ensure that every Deputy in the House gets the 23 schemes available in terms of the fuel allowance and the supports. Some 100,000 additional households qualified for the fuel allowance in 2026 that did not qualify in 2020. We have extended the fuel allowance and the weekly rate of payment. We have made it easier in terms of means for older people who are most at risk of fuel poverty to get access to it as well. That is the trend and path of expansion I will continue and I am determined to negotiate a package in the context of budget 2027.