Nora Owen
Question:187 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a telephone will be provided to a family (details supplied) in Dublin 5.
Written Answers. - Telephone Rental Allowance.
The person concerned applied for a Free Telephone Rental Allowance in March 1991. One of the conditions for receipt of the allowance is that the applicant must reside alone or with other persons who are so permanently incapacitated as to be unable to summon help in the event of an emergency. The allowance may also be payable where children under 15 years are part of the household and the other conditions are fulfilled.
The person concerned resides with her husband and it is understood that he is not incapacitated. In these circumstances the household would not qualify for a Free Telephone Rental Allowance. The application by the person concerned was therefore rejected, and the claimant was notified of this decision early in April 1991.
The person concerned receives Invalidity Pension and her spouse is in receipt of long term Unemployment Assistance. They also receive increases for their dependent children. In total, the couple are currently receiving a total of £157.60 per week in social welfare payments.