Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has made an assessment of the financial impact which the turf cutting ban will have on demands for the fuel allowance scheme; if he intends to carry out such an assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16196/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The national fuel allowance scheme assists householders on long-term social welfare or health service executive payments with meeting the additional cost of their heating needs during the winter season. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's heating expenses. It is not intended to meet those costs in full and must be seen in the context of the overall level of income available to the family.

In general to qualify for a fuel allowance a person must:

be resident in the State,

be in receipt of one of the qualifying payments

satisfy the living alone condition (i.e. be either living alone or with a qualified spouse/partner or a qualified child/ren (a qualified child is one under 18, or over 18 and under 22 if in full time education)

satisfy a means test

In Budget 1999 the fuel allowance scheme was extended to include people who have access to their own fuel supply, usually a turf bank. Accordingly there should be no additional demand or financial impact on the fuel allowance scheme in the event of a ban on turf cutting.