asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of old-age pensioners who qualify for free telephones (a) in Dublin city and county and (b) in the remainder of the country.
Written Answers. - Free Telephone Allowance.
198.
The number of persons who have qualified for a free telephone rental allowance (a) in the Dublin Telephone Exchange area (01) is 8,526 of whom 4,367 are awaiting the installation of a telephone and (b) in the remainder of the country is 5,219 of whom 2,676 are awaiting the installation of a telephone.
199.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will extend the free telephone rental allowance to those pensioners living in this country on a UK retirement pension.
The extension of the Free Telephone Rental Allowance Scheme on the lines suggested by the Deputy is a matter for consideration in the context of the forthcoming budget.