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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 May 1976

Vol. 290 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Severely Handicapped Children.

12.

asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the concern among parents of severely handicapped children under 16 years of age who are in receipt of an allowance of £25 per month that this allowance may be withdrawn by reason of the fact that it is intended to implement a means test before payment is made in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

There is no cause for concern among such parents on the grounds suggested by the Deputy. No change of the nature suggested is under consideration.

Is the Minister aware that this allowance has now been withdrawn in many instances in Kerry and throughout the whole Southern Health Board area?

I am not so aware. No specific case has been brought to my notice, but the Deputy's question was to the effect that parents were worried because the scheme might be withdrawn. No such change is contemplated.

Is the Minister aware that there is now a means test attached to this scheme and that his original statement was there was not to be a means test?

There is no means test operated unless the child himself or herself has any means. The means of the parents are not taken into consideration.

Is the Minister further aware that the parents and friends of the mentally handicapped in County Kerry say differently and have proved that this scheme is operated in a different manner entirely?

There is no means test whatsoever except in a case where the child might have means. As far as the child itself is concerned there is no means test, and in accordance with guidelines set down for the various health boards the child on being assessed by a medical officer is deemed to be or not to be eligible for the £25 per month allowance.

One final supplementary question. Does the Minister agree, therefore, that the income of parents is not taken into account, that it is only the means of a child that are taken into account?

That is right, I have said that.

Could I find out from the Minister——

I thought I had given a lot of latitude on this question.

Are there guidelines set down for all health board areas or do they differ from one health board area to another, especially in relation to the eligibility of the child healthwise?

The same set of guidelines has been sent to all eight health boards.

At what age would the Minister consider a child eligible for disablement allowance? I know of a girl who is 20 years of age where the means test was taken. There is no allowance for disablement because she is living with her brother who is fairly well off.

The Deputy is raising a specific matter.

This scheme only operates in respect of children who are under 16. After the age of 16 they have the right to apply for disabled person's maintenance allowance.

Does that mean that because there is a means test for children over 16 there is a means test for the parents? The girl of which I am speaking has no means whatsoever.

That is deserving of a separate question.

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