Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 5

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.

Joe Walsh

Question:

83 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare if persons in receipt of invalidity pension can qualify for free fuel, electricity, TV licence and telephone rental, irrespective of the status of the spouse, such as in the case of a non-dependent spouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18417/95]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The schemes referred to by the Deputy (free fuel, free electricity allowance, free television licence and free telephone rental allowance) are available to recipients of invalidity pension provided they are either living alone or only with certain excepted categories of people. The excepted categories vary depending on the scheme.

In the case of the free electricity and free television licence schemes, the excepted categories include a dependent spouse, invalid(s), other people who would qualify for the allowance in their own right and a person who gives the pensioner full-time care and attention if he or she is an invalid or semi-invalid. Therefore, depending on the circumstances involved in particular cases, these categories may include a dependent or non-dependent spouse.

As regards the free telephone rental allowance, the excepted categories include a carer's allowance recipient who provides full-time care and attention to the pensioner and-or any other person(s) who is so permanently incapacitated as to be unable to summon assistance in an emergency. These may include a spouse regardless of whether or not he or she is dependent on the pensioner.

In relation to the fuel allowance, the excepted categories include dependent children up to age 22 if in full-time education or other people who would qualify for a fuel allowance in their own right. Again, these may include a dependent or non-dependent spouse.