More than 500,000 households are to feel the benefit of increases in fuel and electricity allowances announced today.
From Monday, weekly fuel supplements will rise by €4 while the number of free units of electricity will jump to 2,400 units per year.
It is estimated that 274,000 people — 151,000 with basic fuel allowance and 123,000 with smokeless fuel supplement — will benefit directly at an estimated annual cost of just over €125 million.
Fuel allowance is paid over 29 weeks from October to April each year at €522 for individuals on the basic allowance and €635.10 for those with the smokeless fuel supplement.
The income thresholds for eligibility to the fuel allowance has also been increased from €51 to €100 per week.
With domestic electricity prices set to rise by 12.6 per cent, the increase in free electricity from 1,800 units will save customers in the region of €414 per year.
Around 315,000 customers currently receive free electricity units under the Household Benefits Package.
"For many people on welfare supports, particularly older people and those with disabilities, the winter season can be a very difficult time as the cost of maintaining adequate heating increases," said Seamus Brennan, Minister for Social Affairs.
"This season there is even more pressures as energy costs are rising significantly compared with previous years.
"All of these new additional support measures are targeted at easing those pressures and protecting all those people on welfare who are entitled to free energy and fuel allowances.
"In other words, the state will pay more to absorb the price increases and so fully maintain the existing benefits of our most vulnerable people".