asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether the Dublin Board of Public Assistance were acting under regulations sanctioned by his Department when claiming from John Cooper, an inmate of the Dublin Union, two sums of money amounting to £44 6s. 5d. in respect of maintenance in their institution and in making a further charge of 5/- per week in respect of future maintenance; whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Cooper has no means other than a pension of a few shillings per week granted to him recently in respect of his 1916 service, he will consider amending such regulations (if any) as permit deductions or charges of this kind in such circumstances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garnisheeing Military Service Pension.
My information is that Mr. Cooper expressed his willingness to repay the relief afforded by the Dublin Board of Assistance and has in fact entered into an agreement to do so. The board are empowered to grant relief by way of loan. I am not prepared to vary the law in the manner suggested in the last part of the question.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Mr. Cooper strongly protested against this sum of £44 6s. 5d. being deducted from the sum of £54 which he received recently by way of arrears of his military service pension? Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware, or has he been furnished with evidence of Mr. Cooper's desire not to pay that sum out of the arrears due to him, and will he consider amending the regulations to permit these deductions?
The matter of enforcing the agreement entered into between John Cooper and the board of assistance is one for the board of assistance.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary think that the board of assistance should garnishee this man's pension in that way?
That is another question.