andMr. Timmons asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that recipients of home assistance will not receive a cut in their allowances as a result of the increases granted in social welfare in the budget.
Written Answers. - Home Assistance Recipients.
209.
Public assistance authorities are required by statute to pay home assistance in appropriate cases. It is for each authority to determine the degree of need and the proper amount of assistance payable. While I, as Minister for Social Welfare, have responsibility for the general direction and control of the scheme of home assistance, I am expressly precluded from directing the giving of public assistance to any individual person.
From inquiries which have been made by my Department, it appears to be the position that home assistance allowances are not being reduced by the public assistance authorities because of the budget increases in social welfare payments. If, however, the Deputies are in possession of information to the contrary and supply me with particulars, I will certainly have the matter taken up with the authorities.