asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of applicants, in the constituency of south Tipperary, for the most recent yearly period for which figures are available, who were refused supplementary welfare allowances; whether these applicants were informed of their right of appeal and, if so, the number who appealed, together with the number of (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful applicants; the outcome of each appeal; and the form which the appeal procedure took.
Written Answers. - Supplementary Welfare Allowances.
97.
The supplementary welfare allowances scheme is administered by the health boards. Records of the number of applicants who have been refused an allowance are not kept by them but I am assured that in all such cases the applicants are informed of their right to appeal.
There were four appeals from persons in the constituency of south Tipperary in the 12 months to the end of October last. Of these, two were allowed and two disallowed on the grounds of means. One of the allowed cases was decided following an oral hearing by the appeals officer and the other was allowed without a hearing. Likewise in one of the disallowed cases the decision was given following an oral hearing and the other was disallowed without a hearing.