asked the Minister for Health if he intends to introduce legislation to enable county councils to grant some form of assistances to inmates of county homes who have no income whatsoever.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - County Home Inmates.
6.
I am advised that special legislation on this matter is not necessary. Proposals by health authorities to make small payments to patients have already been approved in a number of cases.
Would the Minister reconsider this serious matter? From time to time I have spoken to people in various county homes about this matter. They have no income whatsoever and they are relegated to the position of absolute paypers. I believe legislation should be put through to enable those people to have some income. I would ask the Minister to reconsider the matter and to continue to give it his attention.
It is not necessary to have legislation. There is no reason under the existing law why a local authority, if it so desires, would not agree to make small payments to approved cases under 70 years of age. Of course, on reaching 70 years, they qualify for the old age pension.
Did I understand the Minister to say, then, that payments are allowed to be made in approved cases by county councils?
Yes.