John McGuinness
Question:285 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be examined to determine if he is in receipt of his full benefits. [12930/99]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 6 August 1992. His partner is earning in excess of £90 per week and, therefore, he is not entitled to an increase in respect of a qualified adult dependant. He receives an increase of half the standard rate for his two children.
He is currently being paid at the rate of £83.70 per week, increasing to £86.70 per week from 3 June 1999 which is the correct rate for a person in his position.
Sean Fleming
Question:286 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the companies in respect of which the free telephone rental allowance scheme applies; if it is available in respect of mobile telephones; if it covers installation fees; and the plans, if any, he has to extend it to other telephone companies in view of the proposed sale of shares in Telecom Éireann. [13017/99]
The free telephone rental allowance scheme covers the standard domestic land-line and equipment rental charges, together with 20 call unit credits in each two-monthly billing period. The scheme is available to eligible people only through Telecom Éireann at present. Aggregate payments are made by the Department directly to Telecom Éireann each month in respect of all qualified clients. Telecom Éireann credits the allowance on the relevant individual subscriber bills.
Mobile phones are not covered under the scheme. Initial telephone installation charges are also not covered. However, with the support of the Department, Telecom Éireann has undertaken initiatives to offer a specially discounted installation charge rate for pensioners living alone, to encourage that group to install a phone for safety reasons and for social contact.
The Department is carrying out a comprehensive policy and expenditure review of the various free schemes, including free telephone rental allowance. This will include an assessment of the effectiveness of the various allowances in their current format for the relevant target groups. It is expected that this review will be completed in autumn 1999.
Further assessment of the operational future of the scheme in this new open market situation, will be made by the Department when the policy review has been completed.