asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant free electricity and so on to persons over 66 who hold medical cards and who meet the other conditions required, in view of the fact that many people on low means are excluded from these schemes.
Written Answers. - Free Electricity Scheme.
259.
The free electricity allowance scheme is a fringe benefit linked to entitlement to a social welfare type pension. The scheme applies to persons over 66 who are in receipt of such a pension and who are living alone or with certain excepted persons. An extension of the allowance to non-pensioners would change the nature of the scheme and would have significant cost implications. There are no proposals for such an extension in present circumstances.