PEOPLE WHO WORKED HARD NOW SQUEEZED WITH NO SUPPORT

Cork East TD Seán Sherlock implored the Government to relax restrictions around eligibility for fuel allowance payments, saying that some people have money flowing out the door to heat their homes.

“Just today, I spoke to a 94-yearold man who, with his wife, is in receipt of an occupational pension. They do not pass the means test for the fuel allowance. Last week, I spoke with a couple of retirement age who have a combined working life of 84 years between them, and they do not fulfil the criteria for the fuel allowance,” Deputy Sherlock said.

“The common denominator there is that both couples worked hard all of their lives, raised families and paid their contributions to the State. They feel marginalised and hard done by in the midst of this crisis because the fuel allowance will not cover them.

“I will not advise them to go to a community welfare officer for an exceptional needs payment, because they are not that type of people. They are proud people and they feel that the contributions they have made through their taxation should be enough to allow for access, albeit it might be on a temporary basis while this crisis is ongoing, to some recognition by the State of their needs and the costs they are incurring, particularly on fuel.”

Deputy Sherlock noted that recognition must be given to those who are living ‘in fuel impoverished households’.

“The gentleman said to me today that he has to keep the heating on because of the type of medication he is on. The money is flowing out of the door, so much so that the couple are incurring personal debt. He said to me that if the fuel allowance was expanded, albeit on a temporary basis, to allow for his circumstances and that of his wife, it would allow him to maintain his dignity and pride with a temporary payment to get him over this challenge.

“We all recognise that there are external forces at play and nobody would deny that but we must take cognisance of the people who are not fulfilling the criteria for fuel allowance and who are living in fuel impoverished households.”

RETROFITTING DELAYS

Deputy Sherlock decried the wait for retrofitting of homes, that had been lauded by Government in recent weeks.

“They should not have to wait for the national retrofitting scheme, which Age Action Ireland tells us we will take at least eight years to meet its full targets. God only knows where my 94-year-old man will be at that stage of his life.

We should at least put something in place now by way of an expansion or extension beyond the 372 households that the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, announced on 14 March.”