asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that Mr. Patrick Torpey, Cork Hill, Youghal, an ex-National Army soldier, who is in receipt of 15/- national health insurance benefit, was refused the grant of free milk up to six months ago although he was drawing home assistance benefit of 14/- weekly, and if he has satisfied himself that 14/- home assistance benefit plus 15/- national health insurance benefit weekly is sufficient for Mr. Torpey and his family to exist on, considering that he is paying 4/8 rent weekly; and, if not, if he will instruct the county manager to increase his home assistance substantially.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ex-Soldier's Allowance.
Home assistance and assistance under the free milk scheme are granted entirely at the discretion of the local public assistance authority, and all such cases are dealt with locally. I have therefore no information regarding either the home assistance position or the question of free milk in the case referred to. The Deputy is, no doubt, aware that I am precluded by Section 5 (2) of the Public Assistance Act, 1939, from intervening in individual applications for assistance.
Is it not possible for the Minister to get an answer from the county manager? Would the Minister not very humbly ask the county manager, the great mandarin of Cork County, what way he is treating the poor people of South Cork area?