asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will extend free rental telephone services to physically handicapped persons living alone.

Physically handicapped persons who satisfy the qualifying conditions for a free telephone rental allowance are already eligible under this scheme. A further extension of the scheme is not proposed at present.

Has any estimate been made of the cost of extending this concession to all physically handicapped people?

That is a separate question.

If the Deputy puts down a question I will get the information.

Has the Minister any idea of the approximate number of physically handicapped people covered by the existing concession and of the approximate number of people who are not covered?

I do not have that figure with me because it does not relate to the question. If the Deputy will put down a question I will be glad to get him the information.

The question is about extending the concession to physically handicapped people. I cannot see how my question is not relevant.

The Deputy asked for specific figures in relation to specific categories. If he puts down a question I will get the information for him.