asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a scheme of allowances without a means test for people who are handicapped from birth.
12.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allowances for Handicapped.
11.
asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce an assistance scheme without a means test for people who are handicapped from birth and who can never qualify for contributory benefits.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
In the preparation of the recent budget the Government decided that provision should be made for the introduction in the current year of a new allowance for severely physically and mentally handicapped children under 16 years of age who are living at home and who need constant care. This was announced in the budget statement.
In the course of my own contribution to the budget debate I stated that the scheme of allowances should be designed specifically to help the parents of severely handicapped children, that a sum of £450,000 would be made available for this purpose in the current financial year, and that the scheme would be introduced before 1st October, 1973.
Details of the new scheme are now being worked out in my Department. When the procedures have been settled the scheme will be given appropriate publicity. I can say at this stage, however, that it is not contemplated that the means of parents will affect the eligibility of children to participate in the scheme.
As from 1st July, 1973, provision will be made for the payment of maintenance allowances to disabled persons over 16 years of age where neither the person nor the person's spouse, if any, is able to provide for maintenance. In determining the amount of a maintenance allowance health boards will have regard to the income of the disabled person and of the spouse, if any, of that person, but income from public assistance or the means of near relatives will not be taken into account.
Is it correct that there will be no means test in either case?
That is so. I daresay the degree of disability, whether mental or physical, will have to be determined. Only the person's own means will be taken into account. The means of the whole household will be disregarded.
What about the father and mother?
This was provided for in the 1970 Act. It will be implemented by regulation in accordance with the particular section of the 1970 Act. Up to this, as the Deputy knows, the income of the whole household was taken into consideration before the application was admitted.