asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will increase the allocation of funds for fuel schemes for the poor this winter because of the unnaturally severe weather so early, since poor people have already depleted their savings for winter in their effort to keep warm.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fuel Schemes.
107.
The money required for allocation to local authorities under the Cheap Fuel Scheme is included in the Estimates for my Department and there are no grounds for assuming that there will be any restriction in the issue of fuel under the scheme for financial reasons.
Does the Minister not agree that this has been the most severe winter yet and that the bad weather has come at a much earlier date than in previous years? In those circumstances, surely there is a necessity for some increase in the allocation of funds for free fuel for poor people?
The cheap fuel scheme is operating normally.
If it were a normal winter, this might be all right, but will the Minister not agree that in this sort of winter more money is needed for more fuel? Is the Minister going to give me an answer?
I have given the Deputy an answer, that the money has been allocated, that the scheme is proceeding as it always has, and will continue to proceed. There is no reason to believe that the scheme will not continue.
There will be two Supplementary Estimates before us after Question Time. There could be another Supplementary Estimate for this purpose. This is the most severe winter so far in the history of this State.
But the turf is available.
But surely there is more needed. The Minister has not the price of a sod of turf anyway.