Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I support the amendment. I will be brief because Deputy Wall has outlined what needs to be said. We were told at a recent committee meeting that a survey was carried out by the Department and a majority of recipients wanted the fuel allowance to continue to be paid on a weekly basis. Deputy Shortall was mindful of that, which is why she used the phrase, "Where a recipient of fuel allowance expresses a preference". There is a substantial and growing minority who would prefer to have the fuel allowance paid in two lump sums. Age Action Ireland conducted research that is more recent than the Department's that showed there is a substantial minority who would prefer two lump sum payments because of the type of heating system they have. This is an administrative issue. It will not cost any more money and it would make life easier for many people. A substantial number of people are not getting enough money in social welfare payments per week to allow them to put money aside to get a fill of oil. It puts them at an enormous disadvantage and that is why many are not purchasing it. If one enters their houses, one will discover a two-bar electric radiator plugged in to heat the home. This is not a solution, particularly for the elderly. This amendment is extremely important and I hope the Minister will accept it. I have not had much luck in that respect thus far.

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