Pensioners set to get 1,000 winter fuel allowance [Video]

Pensioners are set for a financial boost of up to €1,000 in the budget, as the Minister for Social Protection wants to extend the fuel allowance to people aged under 70, write Christian McCashin and Brian Mahon.

Heather Humphreys has said that as winter approaches, and with energy bills still high, the government does not want older people to be “afraid to turn on the heating”.

In the move to woo voters ahead of the forthcoming general election, Humphreys said she is examining the possibility of extending the benefit to all people over 66. It was extended to those aged over 70 in last year’s budget, which was described as a “very, very welcome measure”.

Speaking in Co Offaly at a Fine Gael party think-in, the Minister said: “This year I am looking at maybe reducing that age to 66, when they retire. That’s something I’m looking at [in Budget 2025]. The one thing …