asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state (1) whether the provisions of the Blind Persons Act, 1920, in relation to the technical training of blind persons are being carried out by the several local authorities in Éire, if schemes for this purpose are being operated, and if so to what extent; (2) what is the position in the event of the non-fulfilment by local authorities of these functions, and whether or not it is permissible, under this Act, to continue contributions to approved agencies after a blind person has attained the age of 30 years; (3) whether the Galway County Council is operating a scheme similar to that operated by other local authorities and, if not, if he will make representations with a view to securing a more satisfactory discharge of these obligations by that body.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Technical Training of the Blind.
1. Under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, approved schemes for the welfare of the blind have been in operation in every county and county borough since 1935. The following provisions for necessitous blind persons are made under the schemes:-(a) Education or industrial training in approved institutions. (b) Employment in workshops of approved institutions, maintenance in a hostel and augmentation of wages. (c) Maintenance in approved homes, if incapable of work owing to age, or infirmity. (4) Monetary assistance to necessitous and unemployable blind persons living in their own homes or lodgings.
The approved institutions provide training in basket and mattress making, brush making, chair caning and in knitting. When trained, the blind persons are employed in the workshops of the institutions, and many of them live outside the institutions.
2. With regard to (2), as I have already stated, schemes are in operation in each county and county borough. It is permissible under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, to continue the payment of contributions to approved agencies after a blind person has attained the age of 30 years.
3. An approved scheme for the welfare of the blind is at present in operation in Galway County.