Extra week’s fuel payment for vulnerable

AN EXTRA week’s Fuel Allowance worth €22.50 will be paid to 368,000 households this week to help the most vulnerable hit by the Beast from the East.

The additional payment will be given to recipients automatically by the normal means, through the Post Office, or into their bank or building society account.

The Government was forced into an embarrassing u-turn on the payment amid pressure from the Opposition after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar initially ruled it out.

And yesterday Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty said: ‘I am delighted to have secured Government approval to invest €8.3million towards an additional week’s Fuel Allowance payment in respect of the recent severe weather event.

‘It is of huge importance that this additional contribution towards fuel costs be made available to those who rely heavily on the State.’