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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Nov 1994

Vol. 446 No. 7

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Tony Gregory

Question:

125 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the decision to withdraw living alone allowance, free electricity, free telephone and other such allowances from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 whose daughter was forced to temporarily seek shelter in her mother's home under Garda and Court protection following repeated assaults by her husband. [2909/94]

The person concerned is in receipt of an old age contributory pension with a fuel allowance, free electricity allowance and free telephone rental allowance from my Department. Her daughter is in receipt of a lone parent's allowance which includes a fuel payment as a member of a separate household.

The continued entitlement of the person concerned to the various allowances is under review in the light of the recent change in her circumstances. To receive a living alone allowance a person must reside entirely alone; to receive the other allowances, the person must reside alone or only with certain categories of people.

In relation to the living alone allowance the person has been informed that, as she is not living alone, she no longer qualifies for this allowance. Inquiries are still being made with regard to the other allowances and the decision to cease living alone allowance will be reviewed when these are complete. My Department wrote to the person concerned recently but no reply has been received to date. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of the review as soon as inquiries are completed.
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