Labour calls for higher thresholds for fuel aid

THE Labour Party yesterday described as “insufficient” the Government commitment to increase electricity entitlements for welfare recipients in response to massive price hikes.

Social affairs spokesman Willie Penrose said that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s announcement that those on welfare would be entitled to a 33% increase of entitlements was not enough.

He argued that it would be meaningless for many low-income families and older people because the income thresholds for qualification were already too low.