asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if in view of the difficulties and hardships experienced by applicants for blind pensions, in the absence of a proper scheme of certification, the Minister will arrange to have the certificate of a dispensary doctor accepted as sufficient evidence of blindness.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blind Pensions Certification.
The course suggested is not feasible. Only the certificates of recognised ophthalmic surgeons can be accepted.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider any modification of the present arrangement which often entails a journey of 30 or 40 miles? I am speaking of the County Cork where, if a case occurs in the western portion of the county 30 or 40 miles from Cork City, it is necessary to make a journey to the city.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that where there are ophthalmic surgeons in county health areas they will not issue a certificate unless a guinea is paid by the applicant, and does he expect a claimant for a blind pension to pay a guinea for a certificate?
I am not aware that any difficulty has arisen over the payment of a fee.
It has. The Wexford County Board of Health are in communication with the Minister about it.
In Wexford, an ophthalmic surgeon has certified in the past and his certificates are generally accepted. As to the point raised by Deputy Murphy, I think it would be possible to arrange more convenient centres so that it would not be necessary for claimants to travel 30 miles. In any event, a claimant who is not able to travel is afforded special facilities as an inspector is sent to his residence to examine him.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in consequence of the fact that the certificates of dispensary doctors are not accepted, the majority, if not all, of the pension committees are without evidence when a claim comes before them and the committees do not know what to do with the case?
There is nothing to prevent the claimant from getting a certificate from a dispensary doctor or any other doctor for the guidance of the committee, but it does not necessarily follow that that certificate will be accepted either by the investigation officer or the Minister for Local Government.