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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

David Stanton

Question:

401 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will change the free telephone schemes so that eligible members of the public will be able to benefit from competition in the telecommunications sector to ensure that they have the option of choosing between telecommunication companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23099/00]

The free telephone rental allowance scheme administered by my Department covers the line and instrument rental and the equivalent of 20 call units in each two-monthly billing period. The scheme is expected to benefit some 190,000 people this year at an estimated cost of £33.2 million.

Under present arrangements appropriate credits are applied directly to the relevant customer accounts with Eircom using a data transfer and database matching structure developed over the years by the Department.

Beneficiaries under the free telephone rental allowance scheme who switch to other service providers continue to receive full credit in respect of line and instrument rental on their Eircom bills and are billed separately by their new supplier for call charges.

It is my intention that beneficiaries under the scheme will be able to avail themselves of any benefits accruing from competition in the telecommunication service market. To this end, work is under way in my Department with a view to adapting the scheme structure and administration.

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