asked the Minister for Social Welfare the measures taken to ensure that sufficient supplies of fuel exist for the elderly, disabled, and indigent this winter in view of the scarcity of fuels such as turf, coal, and heating oil.
Written Answers. - Care of Elderly and Disabled.
55.
Early in September I issued a press statement dealing with the heating arrangements for the 1979-80 season. In the course of it I urged local authorities and health boards to ensure that adequate supplies of fuel and heating equipment are available in the event of shortages or emergency situations this winter. A copy of the statement was sent to each local authority where the fuel scheme operates and also to the chief executive officer of each of the eight health boards.
In the Dublin city area the corporation are keeping their turf depots open and have been guaranteed supplies by Bord na Móna. The Eastern Health Board have laid in extra quantities of blankets and heaters to meet emergency situations.
56.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make special contingency funds available to the health boards so that they can distribute electric blankets and heaters to the elderly and disabled.
Any expenditure which health boards may incur in the provision of electric blankets and heaters will be fully recouped to them as a charge to the supplementary welfare allowances scheme administered by my Department. There is no need, therefore, to make special funds available to the health boards for this purpose.
As I indicated in a press statement early last month, I have in fact urged the boards to lay in adequate supplies of heaters and blankets for use in any emergency situations which may arise this winter and this has been done.