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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Ring

Question:

193 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused a free fuel allowance. [5971/02]

One of the qualifying conditions for receipt of a fuel allowance is that the claimant must reside alone or only with certain excepted categories of people. The person concerned applied to my Department for a fuel allowance in January 2002. He was refused this allowance on the grounds that he resides with his brother who does not belong to one of the excepted categories.

Denis Naughten

Question:

194 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a carer who is in receipt of an allowance for the care of a disabled child under 16 is eligible for the free travel, but the child in question is not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5994/02]

The free travel scheme is generally available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over, and to carers and people with disabilities who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. In 1998, I extended the scheme to carers in receipt of carer's allowance to recognise that carers may incur additional financial costs in caring full-time and to augment the low incomes of those who are in receipt of a means-tested payment. Further extensions could only be considered in a budgetary context and taking account of the financial and other needs of those not covered by the existing arrangements.

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