Laois councillor calls for year round fuel allowance
Cllr Barry Walsh said: "People with permanent physical disabilities find it difficult to keep warm all year round due to mobility issues."
A LAOIS councillor has called on the Minister responsible for Social Protection to consider paying year round fuel allowance payments to people with permanent physical disabilities.
Cllr Barry Walsh who proposed the motion at the March meeting of Laois County Council said he was doing so because, “people with permanent physical disabilities find it difficult to keep warm all year round due to mobility issues.”
His motion was seconded by cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley.
Cllr Walsh told his fellow councillors: “It is definitely a case of putting yourself in the shoes of people who have these physical disabilities with limited mobility. It can reduce their blood circulation and difficult to maintain body heat. The more you think about this (all year round fuel payment), the more it makes sense.”
“I’d go a step further,” said cllr Dwane Stanley, “I’d also ask for senior citizens to be included in it (call on minister). Anyone over the age of 66, they badly need it. We know in winter time the cost of heating, particularly on those who have electric heating. The cost on this has gone through the roof.”
