Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 1

Written Answers. - Free Schemes Regulations.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

31 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Social Welfare the basis on which a couple in receipt of contributory pensions totalling £137.80 are receiving fuel vouchers when another couple, who are also pensioners, are receiving £128.10 plus £10.93 from Dublin County Council and are unable to claim for free television licence and free fuel vouchers.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The national fuel scheme is intended to help households, who are dependent on long term social welfare or health board payments, with their heating costs. An applicant for a fuel allowance must also satisfy a means-test to establish that he is unable to provide for his own heating needs. One fuel allowance is payable per household. Where an applicant and his household has income in excess of £5 per week in addition to his contributory social welfare income he will not qualify for a fuel allowance.

The couple who are in receipt of contibutory pensions qualify for the fuel allowance because they have no other income besides their contributory social welfare pensions.

It is understood that the second couple have an occupational pension of £10.93 per week in addition to their social welfare pension income. Because this additional income exceeds the £5 limit fuel allowance was refused. I am reviewing the position of this couple and I will contact the Deputy shortly on this matter.

The second couple will automatically qualify for a free black and white television licence as they are already in receipt of a free electricity allowance. The black and white licence can be obtained by the pensioners on the production of a recent ESB bill at their local post office.