asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any provisions exist whereby emergency social benefits and payments can be made to elderly and handicapped persons; and, if not, whether he will consider making provisions to permit such payments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
17.
As the Deputy is aware, the social welfare code provides for the elderly retirement and invalidity pensions as well as contributory and non-contributory pensions. Those of of them aged 70 or over who are handicapped may be eligible for increases in those pensions in respect of a prescribed relative living with and looking after them. The handicapped may also be eligible for benefits under the Occupational Injuries Acts, if their condition is due to an occupational accident or disease, or for disability benefit under the Social Welfare Acts.
Furthermore, the elderly and handicapped, whether entitled to benefit or pension under the social welfare code or not, can have recourse in cases of emergency or other exceptional need to the appropriate public assistance authority—in effect the relevant health board or county council.
As I informed the House in reply to a question last week, the broad general lines of a programme of reorganisation and reform of the existing social assistance services, including home assistance, have been drawn up by my Department and the views of the other Departments are now being sought in relation to it. The need to make improved provision for emergency situations has been an important consideration in the formulation of these proposals.
18.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the percentage of unemployed who are in receipt of social welfare benefits at the latest available date.
94.3 per cent of the persons registered as unemployed on Friday, 17th November, 1972, were claiming unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance.