Independent Senator, Victor Boyhan, has today (Thursday) called on the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, TD to reinstate the telephone allowance for pensioners in the Budget.

“The telephone allowance was discontinued from 1 January 2014. It was a payment made by the Department of Social Protection under the Household Benefits Package.

“Elderly people in rural Ireland are particularly vulnerable and I consider that re-introduction of this allowance would be of a huge benefit in preventing isolation and loneliness.

“The value of the allowance was €9.50 per month per household and was of considerable assistance to pensioners in supporting them with their telephone bills.

“I believe that the forthcoming Budget represents an important opportunity to reinstate this allowance and give pensioners back this vital communication tool.”

- Senator Victor Boyhan, 6th October 2016