asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware of the hardship and inconvenience caused to applicants for blind pensions who are compelled to travel to Tralee for examination; and, if so, if he will so arrange it that applicants may be examined at Cahirciveen and Killorglin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Blind Pensioners.
The provision of evidence in support of a claim to blind pension is primarily a matter for the claimant. Social Welfare officers, however, facilitate claimants by advising them as to when and where the nearest clinic of the local authority's ophthalmic surgeon is held; and the Department pays for medical certificates obtained at such clinics.
Making arrangements for ophthalmic clinics in Kerry is a matter for the county council. Until recently such clinics have been held only in Tralee, but I understand that arrangements are being made to hold them at other centres as well; and that, in fact, some have already been held at Kenmare and Cahirciveen.
I am arranging to have the Kerry County Council requested to notify local social welfare officers when clinics are to be held at the various centres, so that any blind pension claimants awaiting examination may be advised to attend at them.