asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that the benefit of the free fuel scheme is being nullified by expense and difficulty incurred by recipients in trying to obtain delivery; and if he will as a matter of urgency devise a more effective way of conferring the benefits of the scheme.

Arrangements for the delivery of the fuel under the fuel scheme are a matter for the individual local authorities concerned and not for my Department.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware of the serious dissatisfaction with and the complete breakdown of this service to the community which affects the elderly and the infirm? I think it is the responsibility of his Department to ensure that this service should be adequate and efficient.

I am aware that in certain areas there is dissatisfaction with the operation of the scheme in so far as some local authorities do undertake to deliver the fuel. As I said in my reply, it is open to any local authority concerned to arrange for the delivery of the fuel. As I understand the situation, most of the dissatisfaction arises from the question of whether or not the fuel is or is not delivered by the local authority.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this year there has been a serious delay in the commencement of the scheme? Does he recall some years ago some Deputies on this side of the House putting questions to him about the scheme as a whole, and am I right in recollecting that at that time he was considering replacing this scheme which gives rise to dissatisfaction with some new and better method to achieve the objectives which this scheme is designed to ensure?

This would be a widening of the question.

The Parliamentary Secretary knows what I am talking about.

The Deputy knows that I spoke to a deputation from local authorities who did not undertake to deliver the fuel and I did urge on them to consider the question of delivering it. I find that in areas where the fuel is delivered by the local authority the scheme in general operates quite successfully and satisfactorily.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is a considerable delay this year and that it was well towards the end of October before the scheme commenced to operate in Dublin city? Am I correct?

I tell the Deputy that I answered the question in this respect about two or three weeks ago, and he is not correct. The local authorities concerned were notified by the Department of the commencement scheme which is the same as for any other year over a long number of years.

The position is slightly different. Is the Parliamentary Secretary not considering the new legislation which is replacing home assistance? Am I not right in thinking that under that legislation he has in mind to introduce some new and better scheme for this purpose?

Surely that is a separate matter.

Not as a replacement to this scheme.

Deputy Eugene Timmons wishes to come in again.

In view of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply that the local authorities should bear the expenses of this delivery, could he indicate that he will provide any financial assistance towards such a service?

No, the position would be the same as it is with the local authorities who have delivered and are delivering it at their own expense. It is open to the Deputy as a member of a local authority if he feels that this is desirable, which obviously he does, to take action at local level where the responsibility for delivery does lie.