Bríd Smith: Small pension rises deny elderly fuel allowance

Bríd Smith raised concerns about the fuel allowance scheme after reports that 20,000 people had been refused up to February and that small income increases are removing vulnerable people. She asked the department to stop removing recipients whose minor pension rises do not lift them out of energy poverty.

Refusals and thresholds

She noted that 20,000 people had been refused fuel allowance up to February and identified income thresholds as the mechanism driving those refusals.

Case example

She cited Angela, an 81-year-old who lost the fuel allowance after an €8 increase in her husband's small private pension, arguing the rise did not remove her from energy poverty.

Scheme gaps

She warned the fuel allowance scheme does not capture everyone at risk of energy poverty and that small increases to income can push people off the scheme while they remain vulnerable.

Budget and income thresholds

She said income thresholds for the fuel allowance will be examined in the context of the budget and acknowledged awareness of the constraints from an income threshold perspective.

Direct question to the department

She asked the Teachta whether the department will ensure they do not remove anyone else from the scheme in cases where small income increases do nothing to remove them from the trap of energy poverty.