asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the qualifying allowance limit for the national fuel scheme has been reduced because many people who previously qualified under the scheme have been informed that they do not qualify this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - National Fuel Scheme.
54.
The conditions for payment of fuel allowances by health boards under the national fuel scheme are prescribed by regulations made on 18 February 1985. Under these regulations a person in receipt of a long term social welfare or analogous payment may be eligible for a fuel allowance provided that he is considered by the board to be unable to provide for his heating needs and is living alone or only with certain excepted persons. Recipients of short term social welfare payments i.e. unemployment benefit and assistance and disability benefit are, in general, excluded from the scheme.
The conditions prescribed for receipt of a fuel allowance were essentially similar to those in existence before the regulations were made. It subsequently transpired, however, that some persons formerly in receipt of allowances would not qualify on a strict interpretation of the regulations. In order to prevent hardship in such cases further regulations were made on 3 October 1985 which enabled an allowance to be continued, provided circumstances had not changed. It is open to anybody refused an allowance in any circumstances to appeal against the decision by writing to the appeals officer of the appropriate health board.