Heating assistance schemes
Members raise the level and scope of electricity and fuel assistance for blind and disabled people, older people, rural residents and pensioners. Haughey says the allowance’s heating value is roughly as described, notes other assistance is available, and points to improvements for the coming winter.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has received representations from an organisation known as "The Cold Comfort" requesting an increase in the allowance of 300 units of free electricity for every two months during the winter half of the year to blind and disabled people, if he would comment on their statement that this winter allowance of five units a day is only enough to keep a two-bar electric fire burning for two-and-a-half hours and if he would accept the view of the organisation that the allowance should be increased to at least 500 units every two months throughout the year.
18.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider the expansion of the present free electricity scheme so that the elderly may avail of ancillary heating methods against the cold.
19.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is satisfied that an adequate fuel system will operate on a uniform basis throughout the country during this coming winter.
20.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will extend the free fuel scheme to meet the needs of all eligible people in rural areas and if not, why.
21.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will extend the free fuel voucher scheme to contributory old aged pensioners.
Comment on this
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 17 to 21, inclusive, together.
I have not received the representations referred to in Question No. 17. The statement regarding the heating value of the allowance is, roughly speaking, correct. These groups of social welfare recipients are also being helped to meet their heating needs by the cheap fuel scheme and other schemes operated by health boards. The Deputies will be aware that a number of improvements in the provision of heating assistance for this winter have already been made.
The combined effect of the cheap fuel schemes operated by the local authorities concerned and of the schemes administered by the health boards should ensure that the domestic heating requirements of persons needing assistance in this regard throughout the country will be catered for this winter.
Persons with exceptional heating needs can also qualify for assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme operated by the health boards.