asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that widows and orphans in receipt of home assistance in County Dublin, which was granted to augment their widows' and orphans' pensions, have recently had their home assistance reduced on account of the emergency bonus granted; and if he will issue instructions to the board of assistance to prevent this practice as it nullifies any benefits intended from the bonus.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Home Assistance for Widows and Orphans.
The grant of home assistance, including assistance in kind, is a matter for the public assistance authorities, and the action stated to have been taken in County Dublin was not, and did not need to be, reported to my Department.
The supplementary allowances in cash made to recipients of Widows' and Orphans' Pensions in rural areas are not in substitution for any home assistance in cash which may ordinarily have been given by a public assistance authority. Any food vouchers which were being distributed to persons of this class by the local authority before the cash allowances scheme came into operation, may be discontinued at the discretion of the local authority.
If representations are made to the local authority that the stoppage of these food vouchers is causing undue hardship, can the Minister impose his will on the local authority and compel them to give effect to the vouchers?
No.
In view of the fact that the Parliamentary Secretary knows that the county manager is the local authority, does he suggest that the local authority should be approached?
The county manager.
Then why talk about the local authority?
The county manager is the local authority.
And well we know it. That is what we said when the Bill was being passed.
He is the local authority for this purpose.
He is, and for every purpose.