asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of applicants from County Mayo for the free fuel allowance as operated by the Western Health Board during the winter of 1982-83; the number approved; and the cost to date of the scheme during that period.

I understand from the Western Health Board, who administer the national fuel scheme in County Mayo, that in 1982-83, 4,846 applications were received of which 4,097 were approved. The total cost for the 1982-83 season in County Mayo was £455,446.

Does the Minister have in his brief the information as to when the vouchers were sent out to these people? For instance, were they sent out at the beginning of the winter, in September or October?

I do not have the exact details. As the Deputy knows, the scheme operates for the 30-week period, October to April, at a value of £4 per week but if there is any complaint about the Western Health Board area for the season 1982-83, I would point out that the fuel allowance valued at £120 was paid by way of two cheques of £60 each. These were issued in October and in late January respectively. The cheques for all Western Health Board areas issue from the headquarters of the board at Merlin Park, Galway.

Has the Minister any information as to how many of the 4,097 who qualified were entitled to the full allowance of £120?

I do not have the full information in that regard but I shall try to get it for the Deputy. Between them, the 4,097 people who were approved received £455,000.

That would not be £120 each.

It would not be far short of it.

Would the Minister agree that it may be necessary to improve the assessment procedures for the whole scheme in the hope that the first £60 could issue early on in the winter season because if it arrives late, considerable hardship can be caused? Will it be possibel to devise some guidelines which would apply nationally in that regard?

The Western Health Board have their own system. They issue the first cheque in October and the other in late January so they do their utmost in terms of advance payments.

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