asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of the reduction in payment of home assistance to persons who qualify for disability benefit under the Health Act, 1953, and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payment of Disability Benefits.
I am aware that some public assistance authorities have reduced payment of home assistance to persons who qualify under the Health Act, 1953, for a disablement allowance. This action on the part of these authorities is contrary to the whole spirit and intention of the scheme.
I have taken special steps to make known my views on this matter, including the sending of a circular letter to local authorities on the 26th February last stating that I was in full agreement with the terms of a circular letter issued by the Minister for Social Welfare on 8th November last in which he requested public assistance authorities to exercise their discretion in a manner favourable to recipients of home assistance and not to regard the grant of a disablement allowance as an automatic reason for discontinuing or reducing to an equivalent extent the payment of home assistance. Moreover, in March last, I joined with the Minister for Social Welfare in the issue of a public statement giving our views in this matter.
I am now considering with the Minister for Social Welfare what further steps should be taken.
Arising out of the question, would the Minister consider the introduction of amending legislation in order to put right the conditions laid down by the Act which enables the persons supplied by the public authorities——
That is clearly a separate question.
Action will be taken very shortly.