asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of applicants who qualify for free telephone rental and who have been assisted with the installation fee by health boards.

Statistics of the number of applicants qualifying for free telephone rental allowances who have received assistance from the health boards under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme to pay the installation fee are not kept by the health boards and accordingly the particulars sought are not available to my Department. Inquiries were made from the health boards on receipt of the Deputy's question and the indications are that some 13 grants of the type in question have been made.