Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 November 2008
123 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on altering the eligibility criteria for the household benefits package in relation to medical grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39460/08]
View answer147 Deputy Alan Shatter asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on altering, in particular on medical grounds, the eligibility criteria for free travel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39461/08]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 147 together.
The free travel and household benefits package are generally available to people living in the State, aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. It is also available to people aged under 66 who are in receipt of certain disability payments or carer's allowance. The household benefit package includes the electricity and gas allowance, telephone allowance and free television licence schemes.
I have no plans to extend the criteria for the household benefits and free travel schemes to include medical grounds, irrespective of income.
