asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will explain why he refused to approve the increase in the Free Fuel Scheme for the Southern Health Board area which was recommended by the Health Board at their meeting on Tuesday, 1 August 1978.

The Southern Health Board recommended that the rate of the fuel allowance to be paid under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme in their area during the season just commencing should be increased by 100 per cent. I considered this excessive and instead gave approval to an increase of approximately 17 per cent on last year's allowance figure.