asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider making the free fuel allowance available to all those in receipt of old age pensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Fuel Scheme.
12.
The existing schemes provide free fuel allowances for old age pensioners who are unable to meet their heating needs from their own resources. Pensioners who fail to qualify for allowances would in general be living with their families or, in the case of contributory pensioners, would have income in addition to their pensions. Provision of free fuel allowances automatically to all old age pensioners regardless of need would involve very considerable additional expenditure and would not be a first priority on this account.