Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on abolishing means testing for the fuel allowance in respect of senior citizens aged 70 years and older. [33478/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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In the case of contributory pensions such as state pension (contributory), state pension (transition) and invalidity pensions, which are not means tested, a person may have a combined household income of up to EUR 51 per week over and above the maximum state pension (contributory) rate, or savings/investments of up to EUR 46,000, and still qualify for fuel allowance. The fuel allowance income limits increase each season in line with the increases in the state pension (contributory) rate.

Abolishing the means test for the fuel allowance scheme would have significant cost implications. Extending the fuel allowance to all persons over seventy years of age would add EUR 90 million to the annual cost of the scheme. I am always willing to examine proposals that make sound and financial sense, but expenditure on such a scale would have to be considered in the context of the Budget and in the light of the resources available to me for improvements in social welfare generally.

Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will extend the provision of free glasses to children in post-primary schools. [33479/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The scheme operated by my Department provides treatment benefit (optical, dental and medical appliance) for insured workers over 16 years of age and their dependent spouses, provided they satisfy certain PRSI conditions. Children of insured workers are not covered under the scheme.

The operation of the optical benefit scheme is subject to ongoing monitoring by my Department. I am always willing to examine sensible proposals but any changes in the scheme would have financial implications which would have to be considered in a budgetary context.