asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that considerable hardship has been caused to tubercular sufferers who were formerly in receipt of food vouchers, by these vouchers being taken from them subsequent to the implementation of the infectious diseases special allowance scheme; and, if so, whether he will consider relaxing the regulations to permit local authorities to resume the granting of food vouchers to such persons without deduction from the special allowance cash payments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Vouchers for Tubercular Sufferers.
I am not aware that the grant of food vouchers to necessitous persons suffering from tuberculosis was discontinued by health authorities, generally, subsequent to the introduction of the scheme of cash allowances. A special rate of allowance is payable to tubercular sufferers undergoing treatment at home, the purpose of which is to enable them to purchase food and other necessities. Health authorities have discretion, of course, where the circumstances of a particular case warrant it, not to abate an allowance by the value of food vouchers issued.
In a circular letter issued by my Department to health authorities in August, 1948, I requested that this scheme of allowances be administered in a sympathetic manner and with full regard to the necessity for mitigating hardship occasioned by prolonged illness, and that the means test should not be rigorously applied in the case of persons in the low income group. I take this opportunity of again reminding health authorities that it is my wish that they should adopt a humane attitude as regards the abatement of allowances in necessitous cases, and that they should exercise their discretion in a generous manner. I trust that following this reminder, my Department will not have to deal with any further cases of unsympathetic interpretation of the regulations by local authorities. If any such cases should come to the notice of Deputies, I shall be glad to have them investigated.