asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the preparation of a White Paper to deal with the special problems of the blind.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Problems of Blind.
72.
My Department have recently taken some steps with a view to improving services for the blind. These include in particular the initiation of an examination by the National Rehabilitation Board of the possibility of some diversification of employment opportunities. Both training and placement problems will need to be gone into.
Other steps recently taken to improve the services include increased financial support for residential schooling, sheltered employment and blind welfare allowances.
The examination of the question referred to the National Rehabilitation Board will take some time and until reports are available to me it would be premature to issue any general statement on policy.
I understand the system of training in Scandinavian countries is probably the most advanced in the world. Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider having their system examined with the possibility of it being adopted in this country?
We will take guidance from Scandinavia and from every other country in Europe.