asked the Minister for Social Welfare if in view of their poor circumstances he will consider making recipients of disabled persons' maintenance allowance eligible for free fuel vouchers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Fuel Vouchers for Disabled Persons.
At the time these allowances were introduced it was not considered necessary to adopt the suggestion contained in the Deputy's question and I see no reason in present circumstances to depart from that position.
The Parliamentary Secretary says he sees no reason in present circumstances why people in receipt of disabled allowances should be eligible for free fuel vouchers. Surely the Parliamentary Secretary and every member of a local authority must know that these people are in the home assistance class — the people who receive a maximum of £1 per week?
The Deputy is making a statement.
I am merely trying to impress upon the Parliamentary Secretary and the Minister that these people are just as deserving of free fuel vouchers——
That is not the function of Question Time.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply I desire, with the permission of the Chair, to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.