Brennan to reverse fuel allowance cutbacks

SOCIAL Affairs Minister Séamus Brennan is certain to reverse his department’s contentious decision to cut fuel allowances to more than 200 mainly elderly people.

He has ordered an urgent review of the decision which came as a result of an audit of the allowance.

Officials from his department discovered that up to 230 people living in group housing with a central boiler were receiving both subsidised heating and a fuel allowance. But Mr Brennan believes the decision did not take account that those affected also need fires in addition to central heating.