asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state what is now the position with regard to the proposed extension of the scheme for the provision of fuel at reduced rates to enable persons with low income to receive turf at 2/- per cwt. or less; if, in view of the present spell of very cold weather, he will expedite the arrangements for that extension; further, if he will consider providing that persons in receipt of disablement benefit from the National Health Society shall be eligible to get the fuel at the lowest rate at present obtaining.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fuel Charges.
As the Deputy will have gathered from my reply to Deputy McCann, arrangements have been completed to extend the fuel scheme in the coming week to cover households with low income. No further extension of the scheme or alteration of present charges can be considered.
Is the Minister not aware of the hardships that are being imposed on persons in receipt of disablement benefit from the National Health Society at the rate of 7/6 a week, and will he not agree to extend the free fuel scheme, or something better than that, to those who are in receipt of only 7/6 a week—people who are on the borders of starvation? Surely, such people are worthy of consideration?
The people in that class, probably, come within one or other of the categories who are already getting fuel.
Mr. Byrne
If the Minister assumes that, and if that is his reason for not giving it to these people and it can be proved to him that 90 per cent. of these people are not in receipt of free or cheap vouchers, will he then give way?
I have nothing to add to what I said.
The Minister must be aware that these people do not get it from any other source.