Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

In reply to the Deputy's first point and his justified concern about the rise in energy prices my Department supplies a number of units, in this case, 1,800. If the energy price changes and is increased, the Department will cover this increase. I reassure those in receipt of energy units under the household scheme that any rise in the cost of the units is covered by my Department. If there are exceptional needs, community welfare officers can provide additional specific exceptional needs payments for those who may have specific additional needs. I have also said that should there be a third bad or very cold winter - I hope this will not happen - I will be open to considering, as was done by the previous Government last year, additional payments.

Total fuel allowance payments amount to €228 milliom, while the amount for electricity, telephone, TV licence and gas allowance payments comes to €367 million. The free travel allowance is a separate allowance and not under discussion, but the total amount comes to €74 million. I do not know from where the Deputy got his figures. Perhaps we might compare them. It may be that they relate to people in receipt of allowances as opposed to those in receipt of benefits who may be counted separately in a different part of the volume.

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