Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the commencement of the 2025/26 Fuel Allowance season, with over 21,700 households in Galway set to benefit from the payment this winter.
Nationally, the Fuel Allowance will be paid to 410,000 households from this week. The scheme supports families and individuals with their heating costs over the colder months and is paid at a weekly rate of €33 for 28 weeks, or in two lump sums of €462 each.
Minister Canney said: “This is a hugely important support for households across Galway, with more than 21,700 set to receive the Fuel Allowance this winter. It will make a real difference for older people, carers, and those on fixed incomes, ensuring they can keep their homes warm during the colder months.”
The scheme has been expanded this year to allow more people to qualify. Since January 2025, the enhanced qualifying conditions previously available only to people over 70 have been extended to those aged 66 and over.
This means:
- People over 66 no longer need to be in receipt of a social welfare payment to apply.
- A single person over 66 can have means of up to €524 per week, and a couple up to €1,048 per week.
- The capital disregard has been increased from €20,000 to €50,000.
- Carer’s Allowance is now a qualifying payment, subject to meeting the scheme’s other conditions.
Minister Canney added: “Government has made important changes to ensure more households can access the Fuel Allowance, particularly older people and carers, as committed to in the Programme for Government. I would encourage anyone in Galway who thinks they may be eligible to check their entitlements and apply. This support is there to help people through the winter and to ease the cost of living burden on households.”
The quickest way to apply for the payment is online via www.MyWelfare.ie and full details on eligibility are available at www.Gov.ie/fuelallowance.
