Paul Bradford
Question:62 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Social Welfare the proposals, if any, he has to increase the rate of the free allowance in view of the increasing cost of fuel supplies.
Written Answers. - Fuel Scheme.
The national fuel scheme assists householders who are on long term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. A payment of £5 per week is payable to eligible households from mid October to mid April. An additional payment of £3 per week is made in the Dublin area because of the higher cost of smokeless fuel. Some 256,000 people benefit from the national fuel scheme. The cost of the scheme is estimated at £39.5 million in 1994. Increasing the rate of the fuel allowance would have significant cost implications and is a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.