Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to amend the fuel allowance scheme to ensure that it covers twelve month periods rather than a section of the year as at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14224/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The national fuel allowance scheme assists householders on long-term social welfare or health service executive (HSE) payments with meeting the cost of their heating needs during the winter season. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses. It is not intended to meet those costs in full.

Improvements to the fuel allowance in recent years include an easing of the means test, extending the duration of the fuel season and an increase in the rates of payment. Budget 2006 provided for an increase in the rate of fuel allowance of €5.00 from €9.00 to €14.00 (€17.90 in designated smokeless areas) and Budget 2007 increased the rate of fuel allowance by €4 from €14 to €18 (€21.90 in designated smokeless areas). The cumulative effect of these two Budgets has seen a doubling of the fuel allowance in this period. The income threshold for eligibility to fuel allowance was also increased by €49 from €51 to €100 above the state pension (contributory) rate.

In Budget 2008 I have extended the duration of the payment to 30 weeks in total. This increase in the duration of the fuel season brings the estimated expenditure this year to €173.1m for some 298,000 households that will benefit under the scheme. Fuel allowances are incorporated in the recipient's weekly social welfare payment. Budget resources are concentrated on providing significant real increases over and above inflation each year in all primary social welfare pension, benefit and assistance rates. This is a more costly approach than increasing fuel allowances as the increase is paid for the full year and not just for the 30 weeks of the winter heating season. Income maintenance measures for social welfare recipients are significant with rates of payments increased in the context of each budget strategy. Social welfare rates have increased at a significantly greater rate than price inflation in recent years, which has assisted social welfare households to achieve some increase in their quality of life and in their ability to meet the cost of items such as fuel. Any other changes in relation to fuel allowances would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of the resources available for improvements in social welfare generally.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if rent allowance will be approved in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Carlow in view of the urgent need and the medical circumstances of the case. [14236/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive has advised that it has awarded rent supplement in respect of the persons concerned for the period October 2007 to March 2008 and that all due payments have been made.

The Executive has further advised that the persons concerned have now been provided accommodation under the rental accommodation scheme.