asked the Minister for Health why an allowance under the Disabled Persons (Maintenance) Regulations was refused by the Donegal County Council to Mrs. Grace Green, Ballynashannagh, Ballylar P.O., County Donegal; what regulations debar a married woman from an allowance when she is permanently disabled; and if there are any proposals for the payment of a domestic help allowance in cases where a married woman becomes disabled.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Disablement Allowance.
10.
The eligibility of an individual applicant for an allowance under the Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) Regulations, 1960 is a matter for determination by the health authority concerned. The Minister for Health has no functions in regard to such determination.
In accordance with sub-section (6) of Section 50 of the Health Act, 1953, these allowances are restricted to persons, otherwise qualified, who are unable to provide for their own maintenance and whose near relatives, as defined, are unable to provide maintenance for them. A married woman whose husband is the breadwinner would not, therefore, ordinarily qualify for an allowance.
There are no proposals under consideration for the payment of domestic help allowances in cases where a married woman becomes disabled. A public assistance authority may, of course, if it so thinks fit, supplement income in such a case by a payment of home assistance.