Joe Higgins
Question:471 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will take the necessary measures to allow all those who qualify for invalidity pension to receive fuel allowance. [8493/99]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
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. A payment of £5 per week – £8 per week in smokeless zones – is paid to eligible households for 26 weeks from mid October to mid April, subject to a means test.
Invalidity pension is a qualifying payment for the purposes of the national fuel scheme but in order to be eligible for assistance under the scheme, the person must also satisfy a means test. They may have a combined household income of up to £15 per week over the relevant maximum pension rate, or savings of £8,000, and still qualify for the fuel allowance. This income limit will be increased from £15 to £30 per week with effect from commencement of the next heating season in October 1999.
It would be inappropriate for me to provide a fuel allowance to all invalidity pensioners without any means test and not to dispense with the means test for other groups.
Abolishing the means test for fuel allowance would be costly. Only those with a significant amount of additional income over and above their social welfare payment would benefit and this would not represent the best use of the resources.