asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he would be prepared to extend the free electricity, telephone rental allowance and travel schemes to include retired primary teachers over 66 years who are living alone, in view of the fact that some people in other categories have incomes equal to or in excess of those being paid to certain retired primary teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Extension of Schemes.
34.
The free travel scheme is available to all persons aged 66 or over including retired primary teachers. The free electricity allowance and free telephone rental allowance schemes are available only to recipients of certain categories of social welfare type old age and invalidity pensions, subject to qualifying conditions.
It would not be appropriate to consider extending the free electricity and free telephone rental schemes to retired primary teachers without at the same time considering the position of other categories of retired persons also receiving occupational pensions. This would have serious cost implications and further development on these lines is not contemplated in view of current financial constraints.