Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on extending the free schemes to persons who are long-term unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15013/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The household benefits package, which comprises the electricity/gas allowance, telephone allowance and television licence schemes, is generally available to people living permanently in the State, aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to carers in receipt of a carer's allowance and to people with disabilities under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. The proposal to extend the household benefit package to people who are long term unemployed is one of a number of proposals that have been made in relation to the scheme. Further extensions to the household benefits package could only be considered in a budgetary context and taking account of the financial and other needs of those not covered by the existing arrangements.