asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the augmentation grant, payable by the Dublin Corporation to out-workers in the two institutions for the blind in the city, has been reduced since December last by 50 per cent. to men who have been placed on half-time; whether representations have been made to him by the city manager on the subject, and if he is now in a position to state that the full grant may be paid with retrospective effect.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blind Workers' Payments.
The reply is in the affirmative. The position arising out of part-time employment of blind workers has been under examination with the approved agencies for the blind with a view to establishing instructional classes on each day, or part of a day, in the unemployed period so as to enable usual attendances of blind workers and full payment of allowances to be continued. Proposals from the Richmond National Institution for the Blind have come to hand this week and are under examination. No objection is being raised to the Corporation of Dublin paying the rate of augmentation of wages approved under their existing blind welfare scheme since December last.