asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the anomaly in the provisions for qualification for free electricity allowance whereby an old age pensioner, an invalid, who has her son and daughterin-law residing with her cannot qualify, but if only one of them resided with her she would qualify; and whether he proposes to erase the anomaly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Electricity Allowance.
54.
The scheme of free electricity administered by my Department was devised primarily to meet the needs of the necessitous aged who are living alone. The definition of living alone was extended in the case of an eligible pensioner who is an invalid to include one other adult whose presence is necessary for the purpose of looking after the invalid. Further relaxation of the conditions for the award of the allowance where more than one adult is living with an eligible pensioner is not contemplated.
Is it not ridiculous that a man living with a parent can qualify but that if he gets married and has a wife, who would be better able to look after the pensioner, he does not benefit?
It would benefit the household.
55.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any letter or communication has been issued from his Department regarding recipients of free electricity indicating that in the event of their being absent from their residence for a certain period, their free electricity allowance would be terminated; and, if so, why.
The scheme of free electricity was devised to help eligible pensioners living alone in their own homes. Where a pensioner in receipt of the allowance is absent from home for a protracted period the question of continuing the allowance arises for consideration. Each case is dealt with on its merits and, where it becomes necessary to terminate an allowance because the absence is likely to continue indefinitely, the pensioner is informed by letter of what is being done. He is also advised at the same time of the steps he should take to have the allowance restored if he returns to his former residence.
What is the purpose of sending a circular to the effect that, in the event of absence from the residence for any purpose—including, apparently, hospitalisation—the electricity will be cut off?
The authorities all the time maintain supervision of all cases subject to protective qualifications—and qualifications can change from time to time. We already have cases where people have moved from one house to another and have made application for free electricity in respect of the second place.
Surely it is not a question of supervision? I understand the circular to state that, in the event of a person in receipt of free electricity being absent——
There is no general circular. Whenever a person is absent for an unduly protracted period we generally notify the person——
What is "an unduly protracted period"?
Somebody away since spring last and not yet back.
Take the case of an elderly person who might be hospitalised for six months. Under the Minister's intended regulation, such person, on being discharged from hospital, will come back to a residence that has not electricity.
It is very simple to guard against that. If they can point out that they are only temporarily being hospitalised, no such disconnection will take place. If they go to an institution where they will possibly remain indefinitely, it does not matter.
The document further states that in the event of not notifying the Department that he or she will be absent from home for a considerable period—possibly through being hospitalised—the person living in the home will be subject to paying the full charges although, under the regulation, if anybody is living in the same house, with no means whatever, such person would not be eligible. Can the Minister answer that?
Conditions can change.
I am stating a definite circumstance. What applies in such circumstances?
There is no question of a circular. A notice is issued when it is known that a person is absent for a certain length of time. It has not gone out in many cases, so far as I am aware.
Would the Minister explain to me——
Before this scheme came into effect at all, the people must have had some light from somewhere.
Fianna Fáil want everybody to know that they are giving free electricity to old age pensioners. However, they sent out a circular——
They sent out no circular.
——to try to curtail free electricity, no matter what hardship may thus be imposed on the person concerned.
They sent it out all right.
Will the Minister answer my question?
I answered the questions ten times over.
No.
The Department must have the right to take whatever action they deem necessary when a person leaves the residence.
Would the Minister like me to read the circular issued from his Department?
That is the one that does not exist.
I have it here, too. It has gone out in two cases——
According to the Minister a short while ago, it does not exist.
The Deputy called it a circular.
What I now hold in my hand is a circular.
It is not. The Deputy gives the impression that we send out a circular to every person in receipt of free electricity.
Fianna Fáil do not give a curse about the hardship they impose on the old people.
Fianna Fáil are more concerned than anybody else about the interests of the old people.
The Minister and the Government should be ashamed of themselves.
I am calling Question No. 56.
Hospitalisation can involve a long period. How much would it save you to cut off the electricity?
56.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will amend legislation so as to allow holders of British old age pension allowances to qualify for free electricity; and if he is aware of the high rate of such applications in County Donegal.
As I have already indicated in reply to questions by the Deputy on this matter on the 23rd of October last, any person aged 70 or over resident here who is receiving retirement pension from Britain or Northern Ireland may qualify for pension from my Department if he is in poor circumstances. If he so qualifies and is living alone, he may become eligible for the free electricity allowance in the same way as any other Irish pensioner. No change in the position is at present contemplated.