Dublin North East Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Call for television connection subsidy

Published: 17 August, 2006

Dublin North East Sinn Féin's General Election candidate, Cllr Larry O'Toole has highlighted the anomaly whereby Old Age Pensioners receive subsidies on all household utility bills except their television connection.

"If we look at other examples in place, such as free line rental from Eircom, 300 free electricity units or the equivalent in gas, free TV licence, bus passes and rubbish collection subsidies, it is apparent that there is a need here for a television connection subsidy."

The average pensioner currently receives €191.00 per week and the average NTL package costs €239 per annum, that's roughly €5.00 per week.

"Many elderly people in Dublin are paying a high cost for cable connection to companies such as NTL, and in this day and age the Government should provide assistance to ensure that older people can afford it. Television can be a valuable outlet for the elderly, particularly in the long winter months" stated Larry.