asked the Minister for Social Welfare the authority whereby certain urban local authorities operate a cheap fuel scheme during winter months.

: The cheap fuel scheme was introduced in 1942 following a Government decision, announced in the budget of that year, to allocate a sum of £100,000 for the purpose of making a supply of fuel available to needy households in the then non-turf areas which comprised cities and towns mainly along the eastern and southern sea-boards. It has continued to operate every year since then without interruption. There is no specific legislative authority, but the necessary moneys are provided out of sums voted annually for my Department.

Section 4 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1957, enables local authorities to buy, sell or dispose of timber or turf for the purposes of the scheme.

: Does the Minister not consider it strange that there is no legislation covering the operation of this scheme? In view of that, would he not agree to the extension of the scheme to the local authority areas that do not benefit from it at the moment?

: As the Deputy knows, we are examining the future operation of this scheme. It is hoped to have some decisions in that regard before the next fuel scheme season commences.

: In other words, before next winter?

: Yes.

: I would be happy with that. Is that an assurance?

: Yes.

: Good.

: I am not saying the Deputy will be satisfied with the decisions we take, but we will have some decisions before——

: I am getting to the stage that, if the Minister actually made a decision I would be satisfied, no matter what it was.

: The Deputy knows we are taking many decisions and implementing them to boot.

: The Green Paper.

: The Deputy has two days to make any comment he likes on the Green Paper.

: I have four years.

: There will be a White Paper before long.