Sinn Féin has called for an extension of the Winter Fuel Allowance to recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. The party's Social Protection spokesperson, Claire Kerrane, has put forward a private members bill, which also seeks to double the payment in the month of February.
At present, PUP recipients are excluded as only people who are dependent on social welfare payments for at least 15 months are eligible for the Winter Fuel Allowance.
Ms Kerrane told the Dáil that many families are struggling to pay basic utility bills, due to reduced incomes alongside spending more time at home.
Over 480,000 people received the PUP this week, an increase of 1% since last week. Around half of those availing of the scheme are receiving the