To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) an assessment of the impact on pensioners residing in the border counties of the Republic of Ireland of the policy that, from winter 2025-26, Winter Fuel Payments will not be payable to residents in the EEA Switzerland; (ii) an estimate of the number of those who may be affected by this policy who have links to Northern Ireland; and (iii) and any planned mitigations.

(i) Whilst the Department legislates for the Winter Fuel Payment in Northern Ireland under the parity principal, Winter Fuel Payments are administered and paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). DWP has confirmed that from winter 2025, Winter Fuel Payments will not be payable to those residing in the European Economic Area/Switzerland, including residents in the Republic of Ireland.

For those living in border counties in the Republic of Ireland, this change means the loss of an annual lump sum (typically between £100 to £300 depending on age) that previously helped offset heating and energy costs in winter.

The Department recognises that the change may impact the pensioners in border counties who previously fulfilled eligibility criteria which could result in reduced support to those with links to Northern Ireland but reside across the border. However, the provisions for payments in the EEA/Switzerland expired on 1 April 2025. From Winter 2025/26, Winter Fuel Payments will not be made outside the United Kingdom

(ii) Border Counties - For winter 2023/24, before the payment was means tested, 26,230 payments were made in the Republic of Ireland – these residents may have links to England, Scotland, Wales or Northen Ireland. No further geographic breakdowns for the Republic of Ireland are available.

(iii) There are no planned mitigations for those living in border counties in the Republic of Ireland who will not receive a Winter Fuel Payment following the UK Government’s change in policy around eligibility for payments to ex-pat pensioners living in the EEA/Switzerland.