asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the Dublin Health Authority's reason for the discontinuance of free turf to deserving persons drawing a contributory old age pension; and if, in view of the increase in the cost of living, he will direct the authority to restore to those necessitous cases the fuel heretofore granted by the home assistance officers.

I am not aware that the Dublin Health Authority has discontinued the grant of free turf to deserving persons drawing old age contributory pension.

I reminded public assistance authorities last year that fuel can be granted free to any necessitous household as assistance in kind even where old age contributory pension is payable.

I should like to ask the Minister if he has made inquiries from the health authority.

No. I have no reason to believe this is happening.

I should like to tell the Minister that it was St. Vincent de Paul visitors who made the complaint. I dare say they do not make complaints unless they are necessary. I would, therefore, ask the Minister to look into the matter again.

If the Deputy produces evidence that this is happening, I shall look into it.