Bernard Allen
Ceist:50 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any plans to extend the national fuel scheme over 52 weeks.
Written Answers. - National Fuel Scheme.
The national fuel scheme assists households who are dependent on long term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. A payment of £5 per week is payable to eligible households and an additional payment of £3 per week is made in the Dublin area because of the higher cost of smokeless fuel. Estimated expenditure on the scheme is 1993 will be £38.65 million.
Under the existing arrangements the scheme operates from mid-October to mid-April each year. This includes the period when temperatures are generally below the average. There are no plans at present for an extension of the season.