Vol. 426 No. 7
92 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the terror and fear of senior citizens living alone, he will consider allowing a live-in companion, without interfering with the pensioner's social welfare entitlements; and if he will make a statement in the matter.
Allowances such as free electricity, free natural gas, free telephone rental and free television licence are subject to a "living alone" condition. However, the living alone condition allows certain persons to live with the pensioners without affecting entitlement. For example, in the case of the free electricity allowance, a dependent spouse or child or, in the case of an invalid, a carer may live with the recipient. In addition, pensioners over 80 years of age may have somebody return to live with them without affecting their entitlement to free electricity, free natural gas or free television licence.
Any further extension of the scope of the present arrangements would have cost implications and would have to be considered in the context of available resources.
