asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that some local authorities are refusing to pay home assistance to persons who are granted allowances under the Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) Regulations, 1954, and, where such persons are in receipt of home assistance, are suspending payment with effect from the date of payment of the allowance, and, if so, if he will take such steps as are necessary to have this practice discontinued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Home Assistance Payments.
Up to a short time ago the position, in certain areas, was as stated by the Deputy. After consultation with the Minister for Health I made an Order, entitled the Home Assistance Order, 1955, on the 6th May, 1955, which provided that in granting home assistance public assistance authorities shall not take into consideration any allowance payable under the Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) Regulations, 1954, except so far as such allowance exceeds ten shillings per week. Since this Order was made, only a few complaints have been received in my Department relating to reductions in home assistance in cases of the kind referred to, and these have been taken up with the authorities concerned. It would appear, therefore, that the Order is being observed generally by public assistance authorities. I may add that home assistance is granted at the discretion of the public assistance authorities, but, if the Deputy will let me have particulars of any cases in which payment of home assistance has been suspended consequent on the grant of disabled persons' maintenance allowances, I will have them investigated.