Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

The decision taken at the time was based on the fact that the numbers of people who live alone as they grow older tends to diminish. The trend is that these individuals move in with their families. Thankfully, their telephone allowance and other benefits remain in place but they lose the living alone allowance. The amount provided through the allowance is small but personal rates of pension have increased annually. We are very proud of our record in respect of the latter. We are of the view that we used our best discretion at the time.