Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I very much share the Deputy's sentiments. I was in a particular difficulty in that a number of measures or savings in 2011 and future years were specified as part of budget 2011 but were not announced by the then Fianna Fáil Government at the time. They were specified and laid down when I came into office. They included a saving of €30 million in the energy and telephone elements of the household benefits package in 2011 and subsequent years. The specific way in which the saving was to be made was not specified. They also included the abolition of the smokeless fuel allowance with a saving of €7.7 million in 2011 and €17.5 million in subsequent years.

The numbers receiving fuel allowances are greater this year than was foreseen by Fianna Fáil when in Government last year. In addition, fuel prices have risen by 22%. I believe the discount route is the appropriate route to take. We may have to take other action because of legal difficulties but I have been working continuously on this issue. Eircom has given us some discount, by no longer charging the Department €2 per month in perpetuity for the rent of the telephone.

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