asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person (name supplied) in County Tipperary has not received a free television licence or ESB allowance which he applied for in November, 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - TV Licence and ESB allowance.
23.
A completed application form for the free electricity allowance from the person concerned was received in my Department on 16th September, 1974. The application was approved and the ESB instructed on 7th October, 1974 to apply the allowance to his electricity account. The ESB asknowledged receipt of the Department's instruction but now state that it was not carried out due to a mistake on their part. The allowance has now been applied retrospectively from October/November, 1974, by the ESB, who also state they will refund any amounts paid for electricity covered by the allowance.
A person who is awarded the free electricity allowance is entitled to receive a free television licence on application subject to the production of the Department's notification of the award at the Post Office of payment of pension. There is no trace at the Post Office of receipt of such an application from the person concerned.