Vol. 407 No. 3
157 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in Cork has been refused a free fuel allowance on the basis that he resides in local authority housing where central heating is supplied at low cost.
The national fuel scheme is intended to assist persons dependent on long term social welfare or health board payments who are unable to provide for their own heating needs.
Residents of local authority housing where heating is provided at low cost are not entitled to the allowance on the grounds that they are only required to make a nominal contribution towards heating costs.
As the applicant in question is resident in a housing complex where subsidised heating is provided he does not qualify for a fuel allowance under the national fuel scheme.
158 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in response to a letter from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 his office advised on 15 March 1991 that the query raised with regard to supplementary welfare allowance was a matter proper to the Department of Health and that the Minister for Health on 19 March 1991 advised that the query raised was more appropriate to the Department of Social Welfare; if he will confirm as to which Department it relates; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered by the health boards under the general direction and control of my Department. In response to a letter from the person concerned relating to her claim my Department advised that the issue was appropriate to the Eastern Health Board and had been referred to the board for reply.
On 13 March 1991 the Department of Health received a letter from the person in question, on the same matter. The letter was correctly referred to my Department and the writer was advised of this. My Department acknowledged receipt of the letter, to the writer, on 27 March and indicated that the matter would receive attention. Inquiries into the matter are currently being conducted by my Department and a reply will issue to the person as soon as those inquiries are completed.
