With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos 180 and 193 together.
I presume the Deputies are referring to people in the South Tipperary area who had been receiving weekly cash supplements from the South-Eastern Health Board before the introduction of the national fuel scheme. These payments were in respect of special heating needs and since the new scheme commenced have been replaced by £2 a week fuel vouchers. There is no question of a reduction in general supplementary welfare allowances.
With regard to the criteria for eligibility under the national fuel scheme, I would refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 365 on 10 December 1980.