asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is prepared to sanction the recommendation of the Dublin Corporation of an increase of 20 per cent. in the allowances paid to blind persons residing in the borough; should a cash increase be impossible in view of the means test, if he is prepared, alternatively, to implement the request of the Outdoor Blind Persons' Association, that the 20 per cent. increase be issued by way of vouchers for rent, fuel or clothing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blind Persons' Allowances.
Mr. Byrne
I have not received any request from the Dublin Corporation for sanction to the recommendation referred to by the Deputy, nor has any proposal in regard to the suggested alternative been received. The Deputy's inquiry on these matters is, therefore, premature so far as my Department is concerned.
Mr. Byrne
Will the Minister make further inquiries? I have had a deputation of two representatives of the blind, who told me that they wrote to the Minister some time ago and got a reply stating that there were certain difficulties in the way because of the means test. From what the Minister has said, I suggest that either the Minister or myself is misinformed, and I am satisfied that I am not misinformed.
The Minister is satisfied that he is not misinformed.
Mr. Byrne
The deputation of blind men said that they wrote to him and got a reply.
The Minister is waiting for a communication from the City Manager.
Mr. Byrne
But that is getting away from the question. The men say that they wrote and got a reply that owing to the means test there were some difficulties and the Minister, who is acting for the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, says that no such thing happened. I say that either the Minister or myself is misinformed.
The question was whether the Minister had received a recommendation from the Dublin Corporation, and the Minister answered that he had not received any such recommendation.
Mr. Byrne
I am following up the part of the Minister's reply that dealt with the application from the men concerned.
That is another question.
Mr. Byrne
The Minister said that I was misinformed.
Statements are not questions.