Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:
135
Mr. Hogan
asked the
Minister for Social and Family Affairs
her estimates of extending the free schemes to include the small rental charge to pensioners who have a social monitoring device; and the estimated cost of same.
[13526/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
431
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Social and Family Affairs
her plans to expand or extend the free telephone rental allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13791/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
432
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Social and Family Affairs
if she will extend the scope and scale of the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[13792/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 135, 431 and 432 together.
The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State, aged 66 years or over, to all carers in receipt of carer's allowance and to carers of people in receipt of constant attendance or prescribed relative's allowance. It is also available to certain people with disabilities.
The household benefits package, which comprises the electricity/gas allowance, telephone allowance and free television licence schemes is generally available to people living permanently in the State, aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who fulfil a means test. The package is also available to carers and people with disabilities under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. People aged over 70 years of age can qualify regardless of their income or household composition. The household benefits package as currently constituted provides a basic package of household benefits for a particular targeted group. There are no plans at present to expand the range of services covered by the schemes. My colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs operates the scheme of community support for older people which provides funding for initiatives to improve the security and social support of vulnerable older people.
With regard to developments on the free travel scheme, the Government programme includes a proposal to put in place an All-Ireland travel scheme for pensioners resident in all parts of this island. This will require discussions and agreement with the relevant authorities and transport providers on both sides of the border. Work on the implementation of this proposal will commence as soon as possible.
Very significant improvements have been made in the household benefit package of schemes and the free travel scheme in recent budgets both in terms of the qualifying conditions and the coverage of the schemes. I will continue to review the operation of all schemes in a budgetary context with a view to identifying the scope for further improvements.
Question No. 136 answered with Question No. 123.
Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 93.
Question No. 138 answered with Question No. 105.
