asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will direct health boards to relax their guidelines in relation to the free fuel scheme on account of the inclement year and the shortage of fuel throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on this situation.

17.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the very bad summer which made it impossible for the saving of turf, he will increase the grant for free fuel to ensure that the needs of old people will be properly catered for this winter.

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 3 and 17 together.

The conditions for payment of fuel allowances by health boards under the national fuel scheme are prescribed by regulations. Under these regulations a person in receipt of a long term social welfare or analogous payment may, subject to certain conditions, be eligible for fuel allowance provided that he is considered by the board to be unable to provide for his heating needs. Persons in rural areas in receipt of such payments who have been unable to save turf because of the bad summer could qualify under the scheme. Application should be made to the local community welfare officer.

I consider that the health boards have adequate powers under the regulations to cater for persons in the categories concerned who need assistance towards their heating needs. The value of the weekly fuel allowance was increased, as provided in the budget, from £4 to £5 a week with effect from the beginning of the present heating season in October 1985. There are no plans at present for any further increase in the value of the allowance.

There does not seem to be any indication that the Government have relaxed their directive on the free fuel scheme. Could the Minister give any information of how parents living in urban areas whose families are living in rural areas, especially parents living alone, are being refused free fuel because it is said, their families are responsible for their fuel supply?

That was thrashed out on an earlier question. These two questions ask for a relaxation of the means test in view of the inclement weather.

One deals with free fuel and the other with unemployment assistance.

It is the same thing.

They are totally different.

That point was thrashed out at some length on the first question, believe it or not.