Michael Ring
Ceist:101 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimated cost of extending the national fuel scheme to an all year round payment. [13514/03]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:119 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to extend the duration of the national fuel scheme; and her further plans to improve the weekly payment to eligible applicants. [13530/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 119 together.
The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders who are in receipt of long-term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide fully for their own heating needs. A fuel allowance payment of € 9.00 per week is paid to eligible households while an additional € 3.90 per week is paid in smokeless zones, bringing the total amount in those areas to €12.90 per week. These payments are made for the duration of the fuel season which lasts for 29 weeks. The fuel allowances represent a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses. They are not intended to meet the full cost. In addition many households also qualify for electricity and gas allowances.
Improvements have been made to the fuel allowance scheme in recent budgets. The means test has been eased and the duration of payment has been increased from 26 weeks to 29 weeks. The cost of the national fuel scheme in 2002 was € 80.5 million, of which € 67.5 million was spent on fuel allowances and €13 million on smokeless fuel allowances. If the scheme were extended to the full year, the total cost would be approximately €145 million, based on current payment rates. The ban on bituminous coal sales will be extended later this year to include Bray, Kilkenny, Sligo and Tralee at a cost to the scheme of € 356,000 in 2003 and €860,000 in a full year.
The significant increases in recent years in primary social welfare payment rates, such as the old age pension, have also improved the income position for people dependent on the social welfare system. Primary payment rates are payable for the full 52 weeks of the year and increases in these rates benefit a wider range of recipients. The question of further increases in the rates of fuel allowance or an extension of the fuel allowance season is a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.
Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 99.