asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of disability allowances paid by health authorities the number of persons who receive them; the rates thereof; and the number of such persons who live alone.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disability Allowances.
37.
Mr. O'Malley
The number of persons in receipt of Disabled Persons Maintenance Allowances at 31st March, 1964, the latest date for which figures have been supplied to my Department, was 17,048. The rate of allowance for a disabled person undergoing an approved course of training is a matter for determination by the appropriate health authority; in other cases the maximum allowance, since 1st August, 1964, is 32/6d. per week. Statistics are not available of the numbers of such persons who are living alone.
Is it not a fact that in regard to persons making application for disability allowance, whether they live alone or not is something that must be disclosed in their application? Would the Minister endeavour to have the necessary statistics collected which would indicate, certainly as to the date of the application, whether or not the applicant was living alone?
Mr. O'Malley
Yes.