Delays till January in means tests changes will see some of the most vulnerable without key supports ahead of winter
People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith has called on the government to bring in promised changes in means tests for the fuel allowance immediately.
She said over 80,000 vulnerable pensioners who are in or at risk of energy poverty would miss out on some of the announced help in the budget.
The TD called on the government to bring in the changes that would see these 80,000 get access to the fuel allowance this year as well as the €400 bonus that will also be paid before Christmas.
She said: “We know that the numbers on fuel allowance did not match the numbers actually in energy poverty. Additionally, I have had many constituents in poorly insulated homes unable to get SEAI help because they didn’t get the fuel allowance. Often, they might be only €5 over the means limit. I’m glad this anomaly is being somewhat addressed but given the scale of energy price hikes and how vulnerable this group is it’s absolutely necessary that the changes are introduced this year and the help arrives this winter, not in January. These pensioners need help and assurance in these coming months.”
The TD also noted that recent hikes in prices were likely to have pushed thousands more into energy poverty. “We need a full assessment of the actual numbers who live in energy poverty and to readjust the eligibility criteria for fuel allowance.”