Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Minister for Finance is answering questions today and he will be able to deal with any detailed questions on whether legislative requirements are needed on the IMF loan.

On the other issue regarding the programme for Government, it is proposed that the existing schemes, which cover the 32 weeks that heating is required by people on low income, will be augmented this year as a result of the changes coming forward. I want to give the reassurance that assistance continues to be available as usual over the summer months for people with special or additional heating needs through the heating supplement and exceptional needs payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

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