Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I note the Deputy's point in regard to the three-year rule. The Minister and I met 25 CE sponsors during the week and it is an issue that was raised. In essence, the three-year rule is currently suspended because we are extending contracts. Currently, and up until end of March at least, the rule should not be causing a problem. It is important to say that initially the CE schemes are for one year.

On the fuel allowance, the increase in the carbon tax has not come into effect and will not come into effect until May but the increase in the fuel allowance came into effect in January. We have asked the ESRI to ensure that the increase in the carbon tax would be offset by the social welfare increases.

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