Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

While I accept much of what the Minister is saying, I am also very disappointed because I am sure she is aware that in rural Ireland people are no longer able to cut turf, and when one is older one cannot do such things. As I said repeatedly, €2 is not enough to buy a bale of briquettes, not to mention the cost of a bag of coal. I am very disappointed.

The rolling out of these schemes is not consistent. In some areas, particularly in Dublin, they benefit those who need them most but that is not the case in rural Ireland, where they are not rolled out to the same extent. Some examples are schemes for the insulation of houses, replacement of windows and so on. I ask the Minister to take a keener look at this area in terms of consistency throughout the country and increase the fuel allowance by the price of a bag of coal.