asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that applications for disablement allowances, which were submitted to the Meath County Council in October and November, 1954, have not yet been dealt with, and if he will ascertain from the council the cause of the delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Disablement Allowances.
The health authority have intimated that they received during the months of October and November, 1954, 277 applications under the Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) Regulations, 1954.
Decisions have been given on 215 of these applications and 62 are still under consideration. The delay in regard to these 62 applications is due, I am informed, to the lack of sufficient medical evidence received with the original applications. On receipt of further medical evidence it was found necessary to refer these cases to either the orthopaedic surgeon or the psychiatrist for clinical examination. I am requesting the local authority to take steps to have the giving of a decision expedited in these cases.
Is the Minister aware that, in reply to a question which I put to him a month ago, he stated that the Meath County Council informed him that those cases would be dealt with inside a fortnight of receipt of application? Will the Minister now ask the Meath County Council why they have changed their attitude in saying that certain cases have to be investigated, particularly in view of the fact that people who have been in bed crippled for years are awaiting even an acknowledgment from the Meath County Council to an application which they have sent for disablement benefit?
I will bear the Deputy's supplementary question in mind and investigate it.