The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist qualified householders who are 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 paid to eligible households for 26 weeks, from mid-October to mid-April.
If an applicant, or a person living with an applicant, rents a bog or pays to have turf cut, and the expense involved exceeds £130, the household may apply for a fuel allowance, once proof of expenditure is provided. The fuel allowance is not expected to cover the full cost of heating for any individual; it is a contribution towards the heating costs of that person.
In the Ballymun flats, the cost to tenants for subsidised heating is between £125 for a one roomed flat and £213 for a four roomed flat. The subsidised heating is provided from September to May inclusive, which is approximately 13 weeks longer than the duration of the national fuel scheme.
In addition to heating each room in the flats, the local authority also provides hot water 24 hours a day, each day of the year, the charge for which is also included in the above costs.
In view of the facts that:
(a) the subsidised heating lasts for 13 weeks longer than the national fuel scheme;
(b) heating is provided in each room of the flat;
(c) 24 hour hot water is provided daily for the tenant in Ballymun Flats and is included in the charge to the tenant,
the local authority tenant in these circumstances would appear to be in a more favourable position than a person providing their own hot water and heating needs with the assistance of a free fuel allowance.
The fuel allowance conditions are reviewed annually in the context of budget preparations, and I will bear in mind the case the Deputy has made in this regard. Any changes would only be possible in the light of available resources.
