Sean Crowe, a Sinn Fein TD, has called on the Minister for Social Protection to extend the fuel allowance, due to the unseasonably cold spell currently gripping the country.
The heating allowance is usually paid on a weekly basis from January 1 until April 1.
Mr. Crowe said that he has contacted acting minister for Social Protection Joan Burton, to request that the payment be back-paid for this month.
He said “The fuel allowance finished on the first of April, unfortunately the weather hasn’t improved since the first of April, people are living in their homes in freezing conditions.
“There doesn’t seem to be any end to this cold spell and I am calling on the Government to extend the period for another month.”