asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that the scale of income prescribed by the Limerick Corporation for the purpose of determining eligibility for the maternity cash grant has caused the rejection of many deserving cases, and, if so, whether he will request the corporation (a) to revise the scale and apply it in a more equitable manner, and (b) to re-examine all applications, which have been rejected to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maternity Cash Grant Eligibility.
I am not aware that the scale of means adopted by Limerick Corporation for purposes of the administration of the maternity cash grant scheme has caused the rejection of many deserving cases. I have been informed that the Limerick City Manager, when examining applications for this grant, is always prepared to take into consideration any special circumstances.
As regards (a) and (b) of the Deputy's question, I had a circular issued to all city and county managers on the 26th February last in reference to the eligibility for services (including maternity cash grants) under the Health Acts. The circular adverted to complaints received in regard to hardship caused by the automatic and rigid application of scales of means for which there was no statutory authority and stated:—
"From a reading of the Health Act, 1953, it will be clear that it was the intention of the Oireachtas that apart from the single income limit specified (£600 a year, farmers £50 valuation) determination of eligibility would follow a full assessment of the circumstances of the applicant. If the Oireachtas had wished otherwise, scales would have been prescribed in the Act or provision would have been made for the fixing of scales, applicable generally or to particular areas, by regulation.
Accordingly, while the Minister appreciates that the application of scales on the lines of some of those already in existence may be useful as a ready means of determining the entitlement of certain persons, he would urge strongly on health authorities to arrange that before each application for a service, grant or allowance is determined, the health authority should have a full report on the circumstances of the applicant and that the decision on the application should be taken in the light of all these circumstances."
In view of the foregoing, I do not consider it necessary to request the Limerick Corporation to take the action suggested by the Deputy.