Vol. 218 No. 2
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that the benefits of social welfare increases are in some cases nullified by corresponding decreases in local authority payments of home assistance, etc.; and if he will clearly state Government policy on this matter.
80.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that in a home assistance case (name supplied) the Waterford Health Authority propose to reduce the home assistance payable by ten shillings as soon as the social welfare benefit increase of ten shillings is introduced in January 1966; and if he will take steps to ensure that the benefit of social welfare increases is not thus offset by reductions in local authority payments.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 78 and 80 together.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave to a number of questions on this subject on 18th May last.
I am not aware of any general reduction in home assistance because of increases in social welfare payments. I am informed that in the case specifically referred to by the Deputy, home assistance was applied for in July and 10/- per week has been allowed until 1st January next on a strictly temporary basis. It will be a matter for the local public assistance authority to decide at that stage whether further home assistance should be paid.
As I have informed the House a number of times, I am specifically precluded by law from directing that home assistance be granted in any particular case.
The Minister must be aware, from the information I have sought to make available to him, that, in respect of the home assistance recipient who is mentioned in the question, when the 10/- home assistance allowance was granted in July of this year he was informed by the health authority concerned that the 10/- home assistance granted would be withdrawn on 1st January, 1966, as a result of that person's getting a 10/-increase in social welfare benefit. Does the Minister consider that practice on the part of a health authority fair, equitable and just in all the circumstances? Is it not a breach of the spirit and intention of the Minister's Department in granting these 10/- increases in social welfare benefit as and from January of next year?
I think it would be very wrong if home assistance were automatically to be reduced because of increases given in social welfare benefit but I take it that it is normal practice in all cases to review grants of home assistance periodically. As far as I know—up to the present, at any rate — nothing extraordinary is proposed in this case.
