Vol. 470 No. 7
217 Mr. Gallagher (Laoighis-Offaly) asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will sanction a third level allowance for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 in view of the fact that she fulfilled the conditions set out in his Department's SW4 booklet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19733/96]
The conditions for receipt of the third level allowance requires a person to be in receipt of an unemployment payment for at least six months, attending an approved course at an approved third level institution and aged 21 years or over at the commencement of the course. These conditions are outlined in the Department's Information Leaflet SW 70 entitled Education Opportunities for Unemployed People and Lone Parents.
218 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will reduce the age limit from the current limit of 75 years for pensioners to qualify for free ESB and a free television licence where a son or daughter is residing with the pensioner. [19735/96]
The free electricity and free TV licence allowance, and the free telephone rental allowance are available to people aged 66 years and over and to certain disabled people under age 66 who are in receipt of a qualifying payment and who are either living alone or would otherwise satisfy the living alone condition. In July 1994 the living alone condition was eased to allow pensioners aged 75 or over who were entitled to the allowance to retain them when another person came to live with them.
Any reduction in the current age limit, leading to a further easing in the living alone condition, would have cost implications and could only be considered in the light of available resources.
219 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to increase awareness among potential claimants in respect of voluntary PRSI contribution provisions in view of the fact that many claimants only find out about such provisions when they claim for the relevant pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19739/96]
Subject to fulfilling certain contribution conditions, a person under 66 years of age who ceases to be compulsorily insured under the PRSI system may opt to become a voluntary contributor and pay voluntary contributions in order to maintain his or her entitlement to retirement and contributory old age pensions, contributory widows, widowers and orphans pensions, deserted wife's benefit and death grant. I should mention that credited contributions, awarded in a variety of circumstances to people leaving the compulsory PRSI system, also serve to maintain the social welfare entitlements referred to above and, consequently, they obviate the necessity in such circumstances to pay contributions on a voluntary basis.
220 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Welfare his views on whether persons on a contributory pension should be entitled to a free fuel allowance in view of the fact that such an allowance is currently means tested; the plans, if any, he has to examine this provision under the review of the national fuel scheme currently being undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19784/96]
The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders who are on long-term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. In addition applicants must live alone or only with qualified dependants, a carer, a person in receipt of a short-term unemployment assistance payment or a person who qualifies for a fuel allowance in their own right.
Persons who apply for a non-contributory pension are subject to a means test whereby any income, investments and savings will be assessed as means. As a result, the fuel allowance is granted automatically to non-contributory pensioners in order to avoid a double assessment of means. As contributory pensioners can have income in addition to their contributory pension from my Department, they must satisfy the means test under the national fuel scheme in order to qualify for the fuel allowance.
A recipient of a contributory social welfare pension is regarded as being unable to provide for his heating needs if he, and members of his household, have a combined income of less than £15 per week in addition to the social welfare pension. This was increased from £10 per week since the start of this year's fuel scheme on 14 October.
A review of the scheme has recently commenced to ensure that the scheme is operating effectively and equitably. Independent consultants have been engaged to carry out this review and the adequacy of current rates of payment will be examined in this context. The consultants are due to report to this Department in December.
