Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 2

Written Answers. - Free Telephone Rental Allowance.

Question:

122 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare when his Department received an application for a free telephone rental allowance from a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; the progress, if any, made to date; the likely outcome of this application; if he will take into account the medically attested mental incapacity of the person concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael Woods

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

One of the conditions for receipt of free telephone rental allowance is that the applicant must reside alone or only with certain excepted categories of people. Such categories comprise children under age 15 or others who are so permanently incapacitated so as to be unable to summon assistance in an emergency.

The person concerned applied for free telephone rental allowance on 26 January 1993. The application was accompanied by medical evidence in respect of the spouse of the person concerned. This was referred to the Department's medical adviser who determined that the spouse did not satisfy the incapacity condition of the scheme as outlined above. As a result, the application had to be rejected and the person concerned was notified accordingly.
On 15 March 1993, further medical evidence was submitted in respect of the spouse. This was referred to the Department's medical adviser who, on this occasion, determined that the medical condition of the scheme had been fulfilled. On 30 April 1993 it was decided to award free telephone rental allowance to the person concerned with effect from 26 January 1993, the date of receipt of his original application. The person concerned has been notified accordingly and arrangements are being made with Telecom Éireann to credit his telephone account.
Top
Share