Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand totally what the Deputy is saying, but I do not know the answer. I know that people can only apply for the fuel allowance on a bi-annual basis. If in May a person thinks he or she might qualify for the fuel allowance, he or she should be able to apply for it at that stage. I will reflect on the matter and revert to the Deputy. In order to receive the telephone allowance one has to qualify for a social welfare payment and the fuel allowance, but it is not right that the opportunity to apply for the fuel allowance only arises twice a year. That is not what we were trying to do in the budget. I thank the Deputy for his question.

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