asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the many deficiencies in the existing cheap fuel scheme, especially during the recent severe weather; and when action will be taken as a result of completion of the examination of the report of the working party set up to look into this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cheap Fuel Scheme.
22.
I am aware of the difficulties which arose in recent weeks in the Dublin area in relation to the distribution of fuel under the cheap fuel scheme. I am also aware of the commendable efforts being made by those responsible for the administration of the scheme to overcome these difficulties.
The report of the working group set up to carry out a review of this scheme and heating services generally for the needy has been received and is at present under examination in my Department.
The Minister must be aware that he told the House on 12 December that that report was under examination in his Department. He must also be aware that last May or June he assured the House that before the winter of 1978-1979 he would have an adequate replacement cheap fuel scheme in operation for eligible recipients. That winter is now two-thirds over and there is no replacement scheme. Can he give the House any indication as to when he intends to introduce a workable, realistic fuel scheme?
An examination of the matter is still continuing.
Is there any possibility that the examination may have a successful conclusion?
The Deputy will realise that among other things there is a considerable amount of finance involved.
The Minister assured the House that a new scheme would be in operation for the winter which started last September.
I did not give any such assurance.
Most categorically.
I did not give any such assurance.
The Minister referred to the question of finance. Is it true that the scheme for the provision of cheap fuel for the poor may fall for lack of availability of finance on the part of this Government?
I did not say anything of the sort. I said the examination must necessarily include the very important matter of finance. At the moment, the cheap fuel scheme, as such, is confined to a limited number of urban areas. It is a very limited type of scheme. If there were to be an extension to a national scheme, that would be a very expensive matter. That must be taken into consideration. There is also the fact that old people living alone have a free electricity allowance. They also now have, where appropriate, a gas allowance. In addition to all that, we now have a much more flexible mechanism available to us through the supplementary welfare scheme. All these matters have a bearing on the situation.
In other words, the Minister is happy.
I am not happy. I have never liked the free fuel scheme.
Why did the Minister not keep his promises?
Would the Minister agree he told the House he hoped the new scheme would be in action before the winter which began last September? Would he now agree that those hopes, and the hopes he raised by expressing his own hopes, have been disappointed?
Yes. I am disappointed too. Public life is full of disappointments.
That does not augur well for next Wednesday.