asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is prepared to issue wireless receiving licences to blind persons free of charge under paragraph 1 (f) of the Regulations in regard to Wireless Receiving Licences, 1927, and, if so, whether he will make an announcement on the matter, so that blind persons may know what procedure is to be followed in applying for a licence.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - WIRELESS LICENCES FOR BLIND PERSONS.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
Paragraph 1 (f) of the Regulations does not provide for the issue of any licences without fee. I am, however, in correspondence with the Minister for Finance on the subject of free licences for blind persons.
Even if it were decided to grant the concession there would be certain administrative difficulties in applying it, which will need full consideration. In Great Britain the privilege is restricted to blind persons not residing in a public or charitable institution, or in a school, who can produce certificates from the local authority of the district in which they reside, that they are registered as blind persons, but it appears that in this country the only registers of blind persons kept up to the present, are those in connection with schemes for the welfare of the blind, which are in operation only in Dublin County and Dublin County Borough. The names of blind persons in receipt of pensions could also probably be obtained from the local pension officers of the Revenue Commissioners.
Can we take it from that, that the Minister is taking into account and will consider favourably, the fact that blind persons are, by their affliction, prevented from enjoying other entertainments which normal-sighted persons are in the habit of enjoying, and that, therefore, some special consideration will be given to blind persons with respect to wireless licences?
I will bear the fact in mind.