Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Regarding fuel, I expanded the fuel allowance to the over 70s and increased the means test to €500 for single people and €1,000 for a couple. This has brought many more older people into the net where they can benefit from the fuel allowance. I do not want to see any old person being afraid to turn on the heating. This is not where we want to be. Extensive renovations are being carried out now on many homes to improve their energy efficiency. There are the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, grants, as well as those available through the local authorities for people who have disabilities and those older people who also need essential repairs to their houses.

By the way, the €44.83 is only the weekly increase for the lump-sum payments. This does not include the €12 weekly increase in January last year, which brings the amount up to €56 weekly. As I said, this is about putting money in pockets. I know the cost of living requires a lot of money. I also know what it is like in rural Ireland. In counties Cavan and Monaghan, we have an excellent Local Link service which is putting on services to bring people to hospitals. We had a group of people up from Monaghan last week, from the Cancer Resource of Caring, Understanding and Support, CROCUS, group. Through CLÁR funding, my Department was able to provide money for a vehicle and this allows the group to bring people to hospital appointments. We should be looking at this aspect to try to support people because it is not easy when they are sick and need to get to hospital.

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