asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the voucher scheme, under which widows and orphans received an allowance of bread, butter and milk, has been stopped since April 14th in rural areas; that this is a great hardship to the people concerned; and if he will take immediate steps to restore the allowance.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows' and Orphans' Voucher Scheme.
No. On the contrary, the Government grant to public assistance authorities for the grant of assistance in kind to home assistance recipients is being continued in the present year. Recoupment of the cost of the scheme from State funds is being provided for up to a fixed maximum amount in the case of each local authority. The grant of home assistance including assistance in kind by way of food vouchers is a matter entirely for the public assistance authority. Where recipients of widows' and orphans' pensions were ordinarily afforded home assistance prior to the recent special cash allowances made available for that class from State funds, the home assistance granted, with food vouchers, may be discontinued at the discretion of the public assistance authority. My Department is not empowered to give or withhold approval to any such action by a public assistance authority.
Has there been any reduction in the grant by the local authority?
I could not say; I would not have any knowledge of that.