asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will recommend payment of the national fuel scheme to recipients of long term unemployment assistance, who reside with a parent or near relative and whose only income is an old age pension.
Written Answers. - National Fuel Scheme.
38.
The national fuel scheme applies to persons in receipt of long term social welfare or health board payments who either live alone or with certain other excepted categories of persons only. This year for the first time as part of a rationalisation of the urban and national fuel schemes, the national scheme has been extended to some 30,000 recipients of unemployment assistance who either live entirely alone or who live only with dependants.
The current financial situation limited the additional numbers who could be accommodated within the rationalisation proposals and within the financial constraints it was necessary to target the extension of the scheme at those categories who are in greatest need. The inclusion of additional categories, such as those mentioned by the Deputy would give rise to considerable additional expenditure and is not possible in present circumstances.