asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware of the need for an increase in the national health benefits now being paid; if he will state whether any proposals from the national health authorities are in his Department requesting approval to increase the existing disablement benefit of 7/6 per week; and if the proposals will be sanctioned at an early date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Health Benefits.
Mr. A. Byrne
I have not received any such proposals. Special assistance outside the ambit of health insurance is being provided by the State for certain classes of persons, including persons in receipt of disablement benefit, and I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to a question asked by Deputy Mrs. Redmond on the 28th ultimo.
Mr. A. Byrne
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that there are a number of people suffering hardships because of the fact that they are only receiving 7/6 disablement benefit? Since they are not able to exist on that sum their friends and relatives have to contribute to their upkeep.
As I have already informed the Deputy, I have received no proposals from the Unified Society on the matter.