asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware of the anomaly that exists in the operation of the urban and national fuel schemes; and if he intends to introduce reforms to remove this inequity.

I accept that anomalies exist in the operation of the urban and national fuel schemes, particularly in relation to differing criteria for eligibility.

I am proposing to have the schemes reviewed with the intention of combining both schemes to provide a single scheme based on uniform criteria of eligibility.

Can the Minister give any indication when he might be in a position to provide a single comprehensive scheme?

Certainly by the end of this year we should have a single scheme in operation and there is provision for the one unified scheme in the 1984 Estimates. I agree that the current schemes are wholly unsatisfactory.

Would that mean before next winter's fuel requirements?

Certainly it would be not earlier than October next. As the Deputy knows, April and October are the critical months.