asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a large number of persons have applied to Kerry County Council for allowances under the Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) Regulations, 1954, and that up to the 1st March, 1955, not one of those applicants has been granted a maintenance allowance and, if so, if he will state the cause of the delay in paying applicants under the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disability Allowances.
I understand that a large number of applications for allowances under the regulations were received by the council and that about 75 per cent. have been dealt with to date. Somewhat more than 50 per cent. of the applications have been granted and payment is now being made in these cases.
asked the Minister for Health if, as it is now six months since the Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) Regulations, 1954, became operative, he will instruct Dublin Corporation to expedite their decision in outstanding cases.
I will request the Dublin Corporation to expedite action in this matter. I would like to explain to the Deputy, however, that in order to comply with the terms of the Health Act, 1953 the local authority must satisfy themselves in each case of application for a disability allowance as to whether or not the applicant is financially and medically eligible for the allowance. I am informed that means of investigation have been completed in almost all outstanding cases and that a medical officer has been specially appointed to deal with those cases in which the evidence furnished does not clearly indicate that the applicants are medically eligible for the allowance.
The Deputy will appreciate that there is inevitable delay in giving effect to a new scheme of this kind. Applicants found eligible for allowances will be paid retrospectively to the date of application.