"Last year I expanded the fuel allowance into the over-70s; that was a very, very welcome measure because the one thing we don't want is old people in their home afraid to turn on the heating," she said. "This year, I am looking at maybe reducing that age to those over 66 when they retire."
"I have discussed that with my officials and I actually think that it's a good idea. But again, these things all have to be considered in the context of the Budget," she said.
Members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party this week gathered in Tullamore, Co Offaly, yesterday to discuss its Budget and policy priorities ahead of the election.
Fine Gael ministers are also pushing for an increase in the thresholds of inheritance tax, a measure Fianna Fáil has resisted for years but has indicated this year is likely to go ahead.
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