Vol. 440 No. 6
78 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to increase the amount of occupational pension which a person may receive to be entitled to the free fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The national fuel scheme is intended to help households, who are dependent on long term social welfare or health board payments, with their heating costs. An applicant for a fuel allowance must also satisfy a means-test to establish that he is unable to provide for his own heating needs. One fuel allowence is payable per household.
An applicant and his household who have a combined income, from any source including from an occupational pension, of more than £5 a week above the relevant contributory social welfare income will not qualify for a fuel allowance.
The question of increasing the limit for additional income would have financial implications and could be considered only in a budgetary context. The estimated cost of the scheme for 1994 is £39.5 million.
