Michael Ring
Question:225 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason the free schemes were discontinued for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [11615/00]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits
One of the conditions for receipt of free electricity and telephone rental allowances is that the applicant must reside alone or only with certain excepted categories of persons. Dependent children under age 18, or under age 22 if in full-time education are among the excepted categories.
The entitlement of the person concerned was due for review at the end of the 1998-99 academic year when the certificate of full-time education expired for one of her children and she was requested to supply the necessary details. As no reply was received her entitlement to a free telephone rental allowance was stopped from November 1999 and her free electricity allowance from the end of December 1999. She was informed accordingly.
In the light of the question the Department has now written to her again, requesting the necessary information in respect of each child in the household over 18 years of age. Her entitlements will be reviewed as soon as this information is supplied.