asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any plans to grant a free fuel allowance to long term recipients of unemployment assistance where members of the household are over the age of 18 years and also in receipt of unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit.
Written Answers. - Free Fuel Scheme.
175.
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.
I extended the scheme to the long term unemployed who lived alone or only with dependants in October 1987. I further extended the scheme, from October this year, to long term unemployed persons who live with other eligible categories, such as pensioners or others who are long term unemployed. This has also ensured that a standard "living alone" condition applies to all eligible categories. The cost of this improvement is estimated at £2.4 million in a full year.
The improvements which I introduced in October meet the Deputy's suggestion in regard to long term recipients. Further extension of the scheme would have wide-ranging and costly implications.