asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the Government grant in respect of emergency supplementary allowances for blind and old age pensioners in West Cork Board of Health and Assistance area is entirely insufficient to meet all the applications; that owing to its inadequacy about 300 poor old people who were declared eligible when the allowance was first granted were later struck off by the assistant county manager; that great hardship and suffering was caused to these old people as a result; and whether he will now consider further increasing this grant in respect of the West Cork Board of Health and Assistance area.
Ceisteanna. — Questions. Oral Answers. - Blind and Old Age Pensioners' Allowances.
I would point out in the first place that the State grant of £230,000 included in the Vote of the Department of Local Government and Public Health for the present year is a grant of a fixed amount and its allocation amongst public assistance authorities throughout the country was made at the commencement of the financial year on the basis of the estimated total number of beneficiaries in each assistance area. It would not, therefore, be possible at this period of the year to vary the allocations as it could only be done by diversion of a portion of the grant allocated to another area. The suggestion made in the latter part of the question cannot, therefore, be entertained. I would further point out that the provision in the Vote for supplementary cash allowances to old age pensioners and other beneficiaries under the scheme is not intended to meet the full cost of the allowances, but only 75 per cent. thereof, the balance being ment out of the funds of public assistance authorities. Moreover, these allowances are not payable to all persons of the specified classes as it is a condition of the grant voted by the Dáil that such allowances are only to be payable to such persons of the classes mentioned who are members of necessitous households.
Is the Minister aware that there was a surplus in some places but a deficiency in West Cork?
I am not aware.
I am aware of it. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that after 20 years of Irish government there are more old people eligible for these grants now than was the case previously?
I should not be surprised.
May I ask a supplementary question arising out of the answer?
Yes.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that of the people from whom allowances were withdrawn many were poor persons residing in labourers' cottages; that where two persons were over 70 years of age and receiving the old age pension, in order to secure economy in such cases the allowance was withdrawn from one person in the household; and whether I understood the Parliamentary Secretary to say that it was within the power of the local authorities to provide out of their own funds allowances for such people?
Yes. It is entirely within the discretion of the local authorities.
Arising out of the reply——
There have been enough supplementary questions.
Why were some people who were put on the list in April struck off in May?
The Deputy will find the reply in the Official Debates.