asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the fact that people in receipt of unemployment assistance are no longer entitled to fuel vouchers, he will consider making an additional payment to people in these categories during the winter months in order to ensure that families have adequate fuel for warmth.

17.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the instructions, if any, that have been issued to supplementary welfare officers concerning assistance for persons on short-term benefits who have been deprived of fuel vouchers since September 1983.

18.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the free fuel scheme operated by health boards is more restrictive than in previous years.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 17 and 18 together.

There has been no change in the categories eligible for assistance under the free fuel schemes and the conditions of eligibility under these schemes are the same this winter as in previous years.

Persons in receipt of unemployment assistance who have dependants and who are resident in one of the 17 cities and towns in which the urban fuel scheme operates automatically qualify for a free fuel allowance under that scheme. However, the national fuel scheme which was introduced in 1980 and which operates throughout the State does not generally cover unemployment assistance recipients and never has.

In view of the continued existence of two separate fuel schemes it was considered desirable to clarify the question of entitlement under the national scheme and this was done in the usual circular letter which was issued to the health boards initiating the 1983-84 scheme.

The present position where there are two separate fuel schemes with differing conditions of entitlement is undoubtedly unsatisfactory. Proposals are, therefore, being prepared for submission to the Government in the near future with a view to replacing the two existing schemes by a single uniform scheme.

Does the Minister accept that the level of poverty is increasing very rapidly in the category of people on unemployment assistance, particularly those on unemployment assistance for quite some time? Does he also agree that the free fuel voucher scheme was intended for people who suffered poverty, to ensure that they have sufficient warmth during the winter months? Yesterday the Minister said that it was a ministerial function to categorise recipients of social welfare, so could the Minister make some special provision over the Christmas period for those on unemployment assistance to be given free fuel vouchers?

I have no plans in that regard, because of the cost factor. As the Deputy is aware, the urban and national schemes are under examination. I propose to have one scheme which would operate in the season 1984-85. It is hoped that that will iron out some of the existing anomalies.

A national fuel scheme standard. Thank you.

Could the Minister confirm whether the community welfare officers in the health board have a discretion in the case of persons in receipt of long-term unemployment assistance?

The people on assistance are not necessarily qualified. However, the community welfare officers have discretion where there is a need under the welfare scheme. It need not concern a free fuel voucher, it could be by way of cash.

Discretion without boodle is no good. One cannot have discretion without boodle.

Is there a right of appeal to the programme manager in charge of community care?

Normally, no. The welfare officer makes the decision on the ground and that is that.

Is the Minister aware that there are a number of changes in certain health board areas? Before this, when persons applied for free fuel they were informed on their application forms that they had the right of appeal. This year, for some strange reason, they are not notified of that right. Would the Minister not think that every person applying should be notified of the right of appeal?

No instructions were sent out from my Department to that effect.

Would the Minister make contact with the health boards to ensure that the people are notified?

I will. Some Deputy mentioned that there were differences in the operation of different health boards.

There are.

There should not be. They should be uniform.

That is just one of the anomalies within the health board system. According to my information, applicants still have the right to appeal. According to television programmes, certain people can qualify who would not qualify in my area. These people on unemployment assistance are in dire straits. I would ask the Minister to standardise the fuel scheme.

That is what I am doing.

I take that point.

The Minister present has more humanity than his Minister. I can tell the House that.