ELIGIBLE customers will receive a four-week extension to the existing fuel allowance for this season.
Limerick Fine Gael TD Kieran O’ Donnell has said the government has “committed to extending the fuel allowance season by four weeks, from Friday, 10tt April to Friday 8th May”.
The Fine Gael TD said the move to extend the allowance for existing eligible customers on a once-off basis “makes sense” at a time where “we wish people to stay at home to stay safe”.
The extension will help, the Fine Gael TD believes, to “ensure the most vulnerable groups are provided with additional targeted financial supports in a timely and efficient manner”.
He said, “This extension will ensure those in receipt of this payment have one less thing to worry about and can remain safe and warm in their homes for the coming period.”
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, said, “The Covid-19 emergency presents a once in a century challenge to our society and our public services and we are determined that our Department does everything we can to meet emerging needs and provide comfort to as many as possible.”
Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe said, “During this time of unprecedented difficulty for our people, we must ensure that our older and more vulnerable groups are as comfortable as possible, as people adhere to Government instruction in order to stay safe.
“It is for this reason that the Fuel Season is being extended until May. Everyone has a part to play in minimising the impact of this public health crisis.”
The Fuel Allowance payment is made to over 370,000 of the most disadvantaged households in the country including pensioners and those with disabilities, who are most at risk of fuel poverty.
The current 28 week season is due to finish on April 10. The payment is made as an allowance paid alongside the customer’s primary welfare payment.
On foot of the changes approved by Government today, the Fuel Allowance season will be extended by 4 weeks and will continue until Friday, May 8.
