asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the increased cost of living and increased taxation, he will take steps to increase the maximum sum that can be paid to a person as disabled persons maintenance allowance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disabled Persons Allowances.
32.
Mr. O'Malley
I would draw the Deputy's attention to the announcement by the Minister for Finance in the course of his Budget Statement on 9th March, 1966, that with effect from 1st November next the maximum rate of disabled persons maintenance allowance would be increased by 5/- per week for persons with no means.
What is the figure?
Mr. O'Malley
The maximum rate of disabled persons maintenance allowance is increased by 5/- for a person with no means.
From what sum? Is it £2 2s. 6d.?
Mr. O'Malley
Yes, 42/6 to 47/6.
Surely that is a scandalous state of affairs? How can the Minister expect anyone to live on such a sum? Were it not for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, many of our unfortunate people would starve. To-day we give a pension of £3,000 to one man and we cannot afford to give more than 47/6 per week to the destitute poor.
Mr. O'Malley
I appreciate the Deputy's solicitude for this class of person, but I should like to point out to him that on 1st October, 1954, the amount was £1 a week; on 1st January, 1961, it was 22/6; on 1st August, 1962, 25/-; on 1st August, 1963, 27/6; on 1st August, 1964, 32/6; 1st August, 1965, 42/6. When the Deputy's Party were in office, they gave nothing.
Surely the Minister realises that these people were on home assistance at the time and since he started to give them disability allowance, the majority of the county councils have reduced their home assistance by the same amount or stopped it altogether in many cases?
Mr. O'Malley
That is not true.
It is being done in every county in Ireland.
Mr. O'Malley
The amount paid in home assistance last year was the highest on record.
They give a pension of £3,000 to one person and 47/6 to another and expect him to live. That is what leads to communism.
Keep the red flag flying.
Mr. O'Malley
I am worse to be answering the Deputy.
Some of the Taoiseach's own Party went to Russia in the 1920s.
Mr. O'Malley
For your information, the Red Flag is taken from a hymn.