Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Nov 1994

Vol. 446 No. 7

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

127 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Welfare in the case of a person (details supplied) who is in ill health who had been living alone and had a phone which she has retained but who at the moment is living at the home of her niece who is caring for her during her illness, the reason she has lost her free electricity allowance, free telephone rental and television licence at her own home; and his views on whether all allowances should be reinstated without delay. [2935/94]

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

To qualify for the allowances concerned, a person in receipt of a qualifying payment from the Department must be permanently resident at the address at which she wishes to have them paid. The allowances were withdrawn in this case on the grounds that this condition was no longer satisfied.

In recent days the person concerned reapplied for the allowances indicating that she has now returned to live at her own address. In the circumstances the allowances are being reinstated without any loss of benefit to her.