Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)

The Minister met the community and voluntary groups, as did I. One of the main items on their agenda was to seek an increased fuel allowance. Does the Minister not agree that, apart from today which is out of the ordinary in that it is the first time since 1969 that a temperature of 20° Celsius has been recorded in late October, a tough winter is predicted? In that case, pensioners will have to face payments of €21 for a cylinder of gas and €15 or €16 for a bag of coal. Is the Minster aware of the 25% increase in gas charges announced in recent weeks as well as ESB price rises and a 21% rise in other fuel costs? While the €9 extra fuel allowance is welcome, it is virtually useless because it has not kept pace with the rate of inflation.

There has been an unanticipated windfall for the Revenue from fuel price increases which at the same time diminish the ability of ordinary people, especially the elderly, to purchase fuel for domestic heating. It would be only right for such gains to be given back to those people. It is no use waiting until the December budget to act because it will be too late by then. It would cost an additional €3 million per week to extend the seasonal fuel allowance. Alternatively, the fuel allowance could be increased to €12 per week. The Minister should take either step to look after the elderly.

Can the Minister account for the mean-spirited tactic employed by his Department, which withdrew the €9 per week fuel allowance that was previously paid to pensioners living in sheltered accommodation in Dublin's inner city area? It may well have happened in sheltered accommodation in Cork as well. Why was that decision made and what total savings accrued as a result? What sort of mean, penny-pinching officials are at work in the Department who would leave the most vulnerable people exposed in this way? It appears to signify or perhaps even epitomise a change in Government policy that I thought had finished once the former Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, left office and the Minister's predecessor, Deputy Coughlan, had left this portfolio. Is the Minister, Deputy Brennan, now trying to hit the most vulnerable people for the sake of a few measly euro? Is that what it comes down to?

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