Northern Irish mobile phone allowance proves popular

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Northern Irish mobile phone allowance proves popular

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By Editorial Team (Thursday, 22nd May 2008)

Mobile phone users in Northern Ireland could claim a cash allowance from the government worth over €300 (£238) a year.

It has been revealed by the Belfast Telegraph that 15,500 people are claiming the grant, which is for anyone on social welfare payments or over the age of 66.

Mary Hanafin, social and family affairs minister, has spoken about the scheme saying it can help older people who are concerned about staying in touch with others.

The Telephone Allowance was previously available for landlines, but was extended to include mobile phones in April 2007.

Meanwhile, a new Ofcom report shows that more people in Northern Ireland access mobile services, such as radio or listening to MP3s, than anywhere else in Europe.

On average, 20 per cent of UK mobile phone users are likely to access the internet, compared to the Northern Irish figure of 23 per cent, the BBC reports.