Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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663. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the conditions in which a telephone allowance is paid. [40725/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Telephone Support Allowance is a weekly payment for people who live alone and are already in receipt of certain other social welfare payments. It assists with the cost of communications and home security solutions.

The Telephone Support Allowance is an extra €2.50 per week, which is equivalent to €130 annually.

The allowance is paid automatically to people who are in receipt of one of the qualifying primary payments listed below and both the Increase for Living Alone and the Fuel Allowance. There is no application form.

Qualifying Payments

- State Pension (Contributory) and State Pension (Non-contributory)- Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension- Invalidity Pension- Disability Allowance- Blind Pension- Incapacity Supplement- Deserted Wife's Benefit- Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension under the Occupational Injuries Scheme

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.