asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the reasons for the cancellation of the cheap fuel scheme in Dublin, and if he is aware that the withdrawal of this scheme now will cause great hardship and loss to old age pensioners, the unemployed, blind persons and widows and orphans.

The summer fuel scheme was introduced in 1943 as a temporary measure to ensure that fuel would be available for necessitous persons at a time when it was scarce and difficult to obtain. That position no longer exists and fuel is now plentiful. The summer scheme was never availed of to the full extent and the number of persons availing of it has fallen substantially in recent years.

In Dublin the average weekly number of recipients fell from 20,440 in 1947 to 3,098 in 1952, indicating that there was no longer any substantial demand for a scheme during the summer months.

Would the Minister say what, in his opinion, are the summer months?

It is not a matter of opinion.

It need not necessarily be a matter of opinion in this country when everybody knowsone has to have a fire in March, April, and a good part of May, and resume fires again in September.

I am not sure exactly what the summer months are.

The Minister knows the months during which it is necessary to have a fire.

In view of the amount involved and of the fact that the number of applicants has fallen to 3,000, does the Minister not think it desirable to continue it for the benefit of these people?

In the first place, it was only a temporary scheme. It was initiated in 1943 or 1944. In the second place, when the number falls, the administrative expenses are, proportionately, very high.

Could they not be cut down?

Is it not administered, in the main, by officials of the local authority?

It is.

They have to be paid, too.

But no extra staff is employed.

There is, in some places. As a matter of fact, I got a complaint that unemployment was caused by stopping it. Therefore, there must be extra staff.

The Minister thinks the old age pensioners are too well off.