asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in granting the free electricity allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.

Despite an exhaustive search there is no trace in the records of my Department or in the ESB district office, Waterford, of an application for a free electricity allowance from the person concerned. I have now had an application form issued to her and have advised her as to what she should do before returning it to her local ESB office.

when the completed form has been returned to my Department her application will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Is the Minister aware that this woman definitely submitted an application last October when she reached old age pension age? The slip-up obviously occurred in the Minister's office and I should like to have the matter investigated. The woman is distraught. She has approached several Deputies.

When the Deputy brought it to my attention I had it investigated but there is no trace of the application in the Department or in the ESB district office. We have since forwarded the necessary form and given an indication of how to handle it. I hope that will be thrashed out.

27.