asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will specifically direct the attention of public assistance authorities to the powers they possess to afford assistance in kind, including footwear, in individual cases where they consider such assistance is warranted; and whether, in view of the present widespread lack of proper footwear among children of necessitous parents, he will urge upon such public assistance authorities the advisability of using such powers in cases where circumstances justify the supply of assistance in kind in the form of footwear for children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Footwear for Necessitous Children.
Public assistance authorities are fully aware of their powers to afford assistance in kind, including footwear, where necessary, and I do not think they require any special representations in this respect.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, is he aware that these authorities have refused to afford assistance in kind, including footwear for children, and will he, in the light of that fact, issue instructions to these authorities to avail themselves of the authority that does exist to provide these children with footwear?
I am not aware that local authorities have no knowledge of their powers.
Are you not aware now?
Mr. A. Byrne
They have refused to provide shoes——
Not on the grounds that they have no statutory powers.
Mr. Byrne
Why do they not give the shoes if they have the power?
That is a question for the local authorities themselves.
Mr. Byrne
But they are not doing it?
That is one of the drawbacks of democratic government.
Of Fianna Fáil government.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this footwear is being refused by commissioners and not by democratically-elected bodies?