By Kim O'Leary
Householders in Co Kildare are expected to be paid the promised extra fuel allowance this week after the Government said that it would provide an extra payment due to the adverse weather conditions associated with Storm Emma, with th extra payment to be made available from this week.
An extra €22.50 will be paid to over 368,000 households and the extra payment will go automatically to all customers who currently receive the Fuel Allowance payment.People will receive the payment in the usual manner.
In total, the full cost to the Exchequer of the additional payment will be €8.3 million and it will be paid to 368,669 households across the country.
Initially the Taoiseach refused to confirm that the government would double the fuel allowance allocation for the cold snap, which drew criticism from the opposition before it was announced that it would be paid.
Commenting, Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty said that she was “delighted” to be able to give the payment.She said it had “doubtless helped to ensure the comfort and warmth of many vulnerable people during this time”.
Minister Doherty also said that she was “very proud" of her Department’s response to the emergency situation with relation to fuel during the height if Storm Emma.
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