§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the refusal to pay for the installation of telephone and rental charges for the elderly, disabled and infirm in the Southern health and social services board; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe hon. Member is the only public representative to have raised the matter with me, although several representations have also been made to the chairman of the Southern health and social services board.
I understand that the board has reversed its earlier decision to discontinue the payment of rental charges for existing elderly, disabled and infirm claimants in its area. The board is now considering an alternative proposal that, in the case of all new applicants, financial assistance will be given for installation costs only.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State For Northern Ireland how many applications for financial assistance with the installation of telephones and rental charges in(a) the Newry and Mourne unit of management and (b) the Banbridge unit of management (i) were made, (ii) were successful and (iii) were unsuccessful in each financial year from 1980–81 to 1987–88 and from 1 April 1988 to 30 September 1988.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information is not available in the form requested. However, the table shows the number of cases assisted by the Southern health and social services board up to December 1986, the latest date for which information is available.
Year ended 31 December Installations Rentals Total 1980 27 114 141 1981 54 193 247 1982 47 238 285 1983 45 256 301 1984 33 267 300 1985 41 272 313 1986 32 286 318
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will list the reasons for 617W refusing to financially assist the elderly with the installation and rental charges in (a) Newry and Mourne unit of management and (b) Banbridge unit of management.
§ Mr. NeedhamDecisions about individual applications for financial assistance to meet the costs of telephone installation and rental charges for disabled people are matters for the health and social services boards.