Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will review the decision of his Department to deprive pensioners (details supplied) in Dublin 12 of their entitlements to the fuel allowance. [21372/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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There is no question of depriving pensioners of their entitlements to fuel allowances. Fuel allowances have never been payable in cases where a person has a subsidised heating service, such as those provided by Dublin City Council at a number of its developments.

To qualify for an allowance under the national fuel scheme an applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, live alone or only with a dependent spouse-partner-child or children or with other eligible recipients and be unable to provide for his or her heating needs from his or her own resources.

The residents concerned are provided with subsidised heating by Dublin City Council, at the complex where they reside and, consequently, are not entitled to a fuel allowance.