Vol. 493 No. 5
183 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals, if any, he has to increase the £15 per week additional income threshold in relation to eligibility for the free fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16693/98]
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. A payment of £5 per week, £8 per week in smokeless zones, is paid to eligible households for 26 weeks from mid-October to mid-April.
In order to be eligible for assistance under the national fuel scheme the income of a contributory pensioner and his household must be below a certain limit, currently £15 per week in excess of the maximum old age contributory pension rate. This means that a person may have a combined household income of up to £15 per week over the appropriate Irish maximum pension rate, or savings of £8,000, and still qualify for the fuel allowance.
