asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that persons in County Kerry are now totally disabled due to attacks of infantile paralysis suffered in their infancy; that these persons are debarred from receiving benefits under the Infectious Diseases Maintenance Regulations because of the regulation which provides that grants can be awarded only in cases where infantile paralysis is active; and, if so, whether he will introduce proposals for amending legislation to remedy this obvious hardship.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Infantile Paralysis.
Allowances under the Infectious Diseases Maintenance Regulations are payable to persons suffering acute anterior poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis) during the initial acute stage and the period of resultant paralysis. Allowances are not legally payable when the condition is one of residual irremediable paralysis for which there is no effective treatment.
The regulations referred to are operated as part of general health legislation designed to protect the community against the spread of infectious diseases. Their purpose is to induce persons suffering from certain infectious diseases to undergo treatment by relieving them of worry as to the maintenance of themselves and their dependents while they are receiving treatment. This purpose would not be served by the grant of allowances to persons suffering from a condition of residual irremediable paralysis for which there is no effective treatment. They are, unfortunately, in the same position as are other persons incapacitated by injury or illness from earning a normal livelihood, and who are not covered by any form of social or other insurance scheme.