Vol. 474 No. 3
209 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social Welfare the steps, if any, he will take to remove an anomaly in the national fuel scheme whereby people on community employment schemes or unemployment assistance who become temporarily ill and thereby qualify for disability benefit, lose entitlement to a free fuel allowance at a time when it is most needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3018/97]
The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders who are on long-term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. In addition applicants must live alone or only with qualified dependants, a carer, a person in receipt of a short-term unemployment assistance payment or a person who qualifies for a fuel allowance in their own right. Recipients of short-term social welfare or health board payments do not fulfil the eligibility criteria for receipt of the fuel allowance.
A review of the scheme was recently carried out on behalf of the Department by independent consultants to ensure that the scheme is operating effectively and equitably. A draft of the consultant's report was received a short time ago in the Department and any changes to the scheme will be examined when the consultant's final report has been received. The matter raised by the Deputy will also be considered in that context. It is expected that the final report will be available by the end of February 1997.
