asked the Minister for Health if he will state in precise detail the means test applied in the case of those who apply for infectious diseases maintenance allowance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Infectious Diseases Allowances.
10.
The Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1952, made under section 44 of the Health Act, 1947 (as amended), apply to a person who is prevented, by reason of treatment for a specified infectious disease, from making reasonable and proper provision for his own maintenance or the maintenance of his dependants. The determination of the amount of allowance to be paid in any particular case rests with the local health authority who must decide what allowance, if any, within the maximum prescribed in the Regulations, would be appropriate having regard to the purpose of the Regulations, and it follows that income from other sources must be taken into account. In a reply to a recent question from the Deputy about these allowances, I explained that where, in exceptional cases, a health authority considers that undue hardship would be caused by adhering strictly to this policy, they have discretion to disregard such other income in whole or in part.
May I take it that the local authority has absolute discretion in granting infectious diseases maintenance allowances?
Within the framework of the maximum prescribed in the regulations.
Regulations as framed by the Minister for Health?
Yes.