Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2013
125. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the household benefit package will be reviewed to take into consideration the costs involved with running medical devices from homes such as nebulisers and ventilators and the impact such equipment has on energy costs, also the costs of operating washing machines especially for persons who suffer from incontinence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34026/13]
View answer126. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the provision of a direct telephone line will be included in the household benefits package which is essential for emergency and security reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34027/13]
View answer127. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the new household broadcasting charge will be included in the household benefit package for family carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34028/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 to 127, inclusive, together.
The household benefits package comprises the electricity/gas allowance, the telephone allowance and the free television licence. In 2013, my Department will spend an estimated €284 million on this scheme, providing some 410,000 customers with a package worth almost €700 per year. Under my Department’s supplementary welfare allowance scheme, a special heating supplement may be paid to assist people who have special heating needs. A person may qualify for a heating supplement, if they can show that they have extra heating needs and increased energy costs because of their age, medical condition or disability, are living alone or only with a dependent adult or dependent children and satisfy a means test. Approximately 3,200 people are currently in receipt of this supplement.
In addition, exceptional needs payments (ENP) may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which an applicant is unable to meet out of his or her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is decided on the particular circumstances of the case. The provision for exceptional needs payments in 2013 is €47.6 million, with an additional €11.4 million for supplements.
Other than that already outlined above, the Department of Social Protection is not in a position to provide any additional supports, including through increases in existing social welfare schemes.
The telephone allowance is a component of the household benefits package. The allocation for the telephone allowance scheme has been reduced in 2013 as a cost saving measure. The estimated expenditure outturn on the telephone allowance in 2012 is €113 million compared with projected expenditure for 2013 of €48 million. As a result the monthly allowance was reduced from €22.60 to €9.50. In response to the reduction to the telephone allowance Eircom have launched a voice product aimed at Department of Social Protection (DSP) customers only. This package, called Talktime Control, gives eligible welfare customers the option of retaining their fixed line for €19.50 per month (before DSP credit). The plan includes line rental and a €5 call allowance for this price.
The introduction of a household broadcasting charge in place of the current television licence funding regime is being considered by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. No decisions have been made at this time in relation to the household benefits package.
