Vol. 451 No. 8
215 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare the date of application and the reason for the lack of progress to date on an application for a living alone allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford: and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7262/95]
The conditions for receipt of a living alone allowance are set out in the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993. Only people who are living alone, who are 66 years or over and who are in receipt of certain types of pensions from my Department qualify for this allowance. Unlike the free schemes, the living alone allowance is a statutory scheme.
The person concerned applied for a living alone allowance in early March 1995. He received a UK retirement pension but is not entitled to any relevant pension from my Department. As he does not satisfy the statutory conditions for a living alone allowance, his application was refused. He was notified of this decision on 23 March 1995. However the person concerned is in receipt of a free travel pass, free electricity allowance, free telephone rental allowance and fuel allowance.
216 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby a person is entitled to unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit until the day before they are 66, but are not entitled to a contributory old age pension until the Friday following the date on which they become 66; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7289/95]
The situation is as set out in the question and is determined by the governing legislation. To change the situation would require changes to legislation and would involve cost consideration. I will have the matter examined.
