asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider extending the free travel allowance, the free electricity allowance and the provision for free television licences to recipients of contributory widows' pensions who are over 60 years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allowances Extension.
8.
The schemes of free travel, free electricity allowance and free television licences administered by my Department are designed primarily for persons over pension age. The schemes were substantially extended by the reduction of pension age to 69 and 68 in July, 1973, and July, 1974, respectively. Contributory widow pensioners aged 68 or over are already included in the eligible categories. Extension of the schemes to include persons aged between 60 and 67 receiving contributory widows' pensions is not at present contemplated.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the present very high cost of electricity is a severe burden on social welfare beneficiaries and particularly on those on social assistance? Would he not favourably consider devising some scheme to provide them with free electricity?
I suggest that the Deputy might more appropriately put these questions on Question No. 10.
I am sorry. I thought the Parliamentary Secretary had mentioned free electricity.
I did.