asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will extend the free fuel scheme and butter voucher scheme to persons on social employment schemes.
Written Answers. - Free Fuel/Butter Voucher Schemes.
24.
Participation on the social employment scheme, which is administered by FÁS, is open to recipients of unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit. The scheme enables unemployed people to work for an average of two and a half days each week for which they are paid a weekly allowance of £65 (single) and £92 (married). These allowances are higher than the equivalent rates of unemployment assistance. Furthermore, participants are free to engage in other work or activities during their time off.
The national fuel scheme is intended to assist persons dependent on long term social welfare or health board payments who are unable to provide for their heating needs. This scheme was extended, for the first time, to the long term unemployed in October 1987 and the conditions affecting the entitlement of this category were relaxed in this year's budget.
Extension of the scheme along the lines suggested by the Deputy would alter the nature of the scheme by bringing people outside the social welfare code within its ambit and could have serious financial implications.
The butter voucher scheme is an EC scheme which enables social assistance beneficiaries to purchase two pounds of butter a month for themselves and each dependant. The current subsidy is 57 pence per pound. The categories eligible under the scheme are determined by EC Regulations and I have no authority to extend the scheme in the manner suggested.