asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state if an increased allocation of boots under the footwear scheme administered by the Dublin Board of Assistance will be made available this year; and if the categories qualifying for free distribution will be extended.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Footwear Scheme.
As regards the first part of the question, an increased allocation of children's footwear will as far as practicable be made by the Commissioners for the Dublin Board of Assistance in the coming winter. As regards the latter part of the question, the scheme for the supply of children's footwear is applicable in the case of families with low incomes who are not eligible for the receipt of home assistance. It is not proposed to vary the condition that an appropriate contribution be made in such cases towards the cost of children's footwear. The cost of the footwear is less than the current market prices for similar footwear, and persons of low income who are eligible to participate are only required to pay a proportion of the control cost.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in a number of cases last year those in a particular category, that is, those in receipt of unemployment assistance were not, in fact, because of domestic circumstances, able to use the vouchers granted to them? He will be aware that where there are four or five children and the father is in receipt of unemployment assistance which may not exceed £1 per week, the contribution could not be made. The purpose of my question is to ensure that those in receipt of unemployment assistance might also come within the category of those to whom a free distribution is made.
I think that is a matter to be determined by the commissioners for the board of assistance.