I propose to take Questions Nos. 1320, 1322 and 1323 together.
The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders who are in receipt of long-term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide fully for their own heating needs.
A fuel allowance payment of €9 per week is paid to eligible households with an additional €3.90 per week being paid in smokeless zones, bringing the total amount in those areas to €12.90 per week.
The fuel allowances represent a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses. In addition, many households also qualify for electricity and gas allowances. The estimated cost of the fuel allowances in 2004 is €84 million. The estimated additional cost in 2005 terms of extending the fuel allowances to a full year would be approximately €66 million giving a total cost of some €150 million. The extension would benefit some 270,000 households.
The duration of payment was increased from 26 weeks to 29 weeks in April 2001. The means test was eased with effect from October of that year and the rate of fuel allowance was increased by 42% in January 2002.
Significant increases in recent years in primary social welfare payment rates, such as the old age pension, have improved the income position for people dependent on the social welfare system. Primary payment rates are payable for the full 52 weeks of the year and hence increases in these rates are of greater benefit to social welfare recipients.
The question of further changes in the fuel allowance scheme, including changes to income disregards, is a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.