John Ellis
Question:182 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a free telephone rental allowance has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
To qualify for a free telephone rental allowance a person, in receipt of a qualifying payment, must also reside with persons who are so permanently incapacitated as to be unable to summon assistance in an emergency.
The person concerned applied for this allowance in July 1989. His claim was disallowed following referral to the Department's medical adviser.
He appealed against this decision in December 1989, supplying further medical evidence in support of his case which was referred again to the medical adviser. This claim was finally disallowed in January 1990, on the advice of the medical adviser, as it was considered that the medical conditions were not satisfied.
Brian O'Shea
Question:183 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Waterford will be paid arrears of a retirement pension.
A payable order covering arrears from 23 November 1989 to 24 January 1990 will issue to the person concerned within the next ten days.