Vol. 241 No. 2
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether any consideration has been given to the provision of a general handicap allowance free of means test to all registered blind people; and whether his Department have under consideration the introduction of any legislation to this effect.
32.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make special provision for the payment of a handicap allowance free of means test to all registered blind persons aged 18 years and over.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together.
Payment of a handicap allowance on the lines suggested by the Deputies is not contemplated at present.
Is the Minister aware that such a provision operates in other European countries and that by comparison our treatment of blind persons lags very much behind? Is the Department even thinking of improving the present condition of registered blind persons?
In view of the statement by the Taoiseach that this country has the most advanced social system of any regime in Europe, would the Minister not consider the introduction of this elementary facility for blind persons?
Something on these lines may be introduced in the future but it certainly will not be as described here. I would not have any desire to introduce a scheme that would be free of means test as I think that would be unjust.
