asked the Minister for Social Welfare the date upon which the boundaries of the free fuel scheme areas were fixed; and if, having regard to the growth of urban areas and the movement of populations to newly built suburbs of cities and towns, he will alter the boundaries to bring new centres of population within the areas entitled to free fuel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Fuel Scheme Areas.
22.
The cheap fuel scheme areas were fixed when the scheme was introduced in the winter of 1942. The scheme is automatically extended whenever the boundaries of the urban areas affected are extended. Furthermore, persons who leave the urban areas to live in houses built by the local authority outside the boundary, may qualify for fuel if they are otherwise eligible under the scheme.
Would the Minister see if an effort could be made to extend these boundaries so as to bring within them the vast urban areas which have grown on to Dublin since the city boundary was last fixed as a matter of law? Today, in comparison with 1942, something like 25 per cent of the population of Dublin as we know it are now living outside what is technically the city boundary.
I do not see any reason for extending it in Dublin and not in other parts of the country.
Is the Minister aware that for some reasons Balbriggan is included but places like Swords, Walkinstown, Manor Estates and Perrystown, which are practically part of the city, are excluded? This is a very inequitable system for the distribution of free fuel.
I am aware that this scheme is an anachronism.
In view of the fact the Minister agrees it is, is he going to do anything to have it changed and have places such as Clondalkin, Swords and Rathfarnham included?
There are only two reasonable changes to make. Either you abandon the scheme, since the circumstances which caused it to be brought into operation no longer exist, or else you extend it to the country as a whole. I think to extend it would be wasteful expenditure and that it is preferable to use whatever money is available to increase the rates of payment under the different social assistance schemes.
Is the Minister aware in many cases one side of a street is included in the scheme while the other is not?
There could be such instances.