asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons from whom the free electricity allowance has been withdrawn since the beginning of 1988; if there has been any change in his Department's policy regarding the free electricity allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Free Electricity Allowance.
12.
There has been no change in the conditions of the scheme.
To qualify for a free electricity allowance, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and must reside either entirely alone or with persons who come within certain excepted categories. Allowances are withdrawn where it is established that the qualifying conditions are no longer satisfied. Approximately 171,000 allowances are paid at present and some 24,000 new claims are awarded annually.
In the period from 1 January 1988 to 11 November 1988, approximately 22,500 allowances were terminated. The majority ceased because of the death (15,766) of the beneficiary. Others arose as a result of the Department's ongoing control and review procedures which revealed that the conditions for receipt of the allowance were no longer satisfied in 3.9 per cent of cases (6,749).