Liz O'Donnell
Question:45 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will extend the fuel allowance to cover the whole year for the elderly and those with medical conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22265/96]
Written Answers. - Fuel Allowance.
The national fuel scheme assists certain householders who are in receipt of long-term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. A payment of £5 per week is paid to eligible households for 26 weeks of each year.
In recognition of the fact that it can be unpredictably cold in autumn and spring, the scheme is not confined to the winter months but runs for six months of the year, from mid-October to mid-April.
Although the national fuel scheme operates for a fixed period, there is a facility available through the supplementary welfare allowance, SWA scheme to assist people in certain circumstances who have special heating needs. Under that scheme a person who has exceptional heating costs due to ill-health or infirmity may qualify for a heating supplement. An application for a heating supplement may be made by contacting the local community welfare officer.
Any extension to the duration of the national fuel scheme would have cost implications and could only be considered in a budgetary context. It is estimated that to extend the scheme for one month would cost £7 million.
In the five year period from 1989 to 1995 expenditure on the national fuel scheme increased by almost 65 per cent. This year a sum of £44 million has been set aside in the Estimates for the scheme.
A review of the scheme has commenced to ensure it is operating effectively and equitably. Independent consultants have been engaged to carry out the review and the adequacy of the current period of the scheme will be examined in this context. The consultants are due to report to my Department in December.