Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland (SFMI)

Lobbying Organisation Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland

Date published 18 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Social Protection

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Reform and modernisation of the Fuel Allowance Scheme

Intended results Introduction of a compliance-linked Fuel Allowance model tied to registered compliant fuel merchants

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Colin Ahern

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Submission (1)

The correspondence from SFMI concerned proposals to reform the Fuel Allowance system through a compliance-linked model ensuring supports are redeemable only with registered and tax-compliant fuel suppliers. The proposal aimed to address fuel poverty, protect vulnerable households, prevent public funds flowing to illicit operators and support legitimate rural businesses.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Dara Calleary Minister (Department of Social Protection)