Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 8, betwen lines 9 and 10 to insert the following: “(2) The Minister shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas on the cost of extending the fuel allowance to those in receipt of the working family payment.”.

We discussed this already. It was also discussed with the Minister's officials last week. When I asked a particular question, they stated that a specific report was being worked through. I was amazed by what they said, which was that it was generally felt that giving the fuel allowance to people in receipt of the working family payment could be a disincentive to looking for extra overtime, longer hours or promotion. I do not think that should come into it, because workers have a right to determine what hours they work. They should get the fuel allowance on the basis of what they are working at the moment and their basic pay. We know the costs of energy have gone up an awful lot. We have extended it to carers, which I agree with. It should also be extended to the working poor who are in receipt of the working family payment.

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