asked the Minister for Health if he will transfer the responsibility for the training and placement of the physically handicapped to the Minister for Labour.
Written Answers. - Physically Handicapped.
366.
The working Party on Training and Employing the Handicapped which reported in 1974 recommended that matters relating to the training and employment of all categories of handicapped persons should be the responsibility of the Minister for Health. This recommendation has been accepted and the arrangement is working satisfactorily. In the circumstances I do not consider that a change is necessary.
367.
asked the Minister for Health the average weekly wage paid to handicapped people in sheltered workshops in Ireland.
Most handicapped persons employed in sheltered workshops are in those operated by the Rehabilitation Institute Limited. They receive a weekly allowance ranging from £5 to £12, in addition to a weekly payment of £1.75 for each dependent child up to a maximum of three children.
All but a few of such persons are also in receipt of a disabled person's maintenance allowance of £16.20 per week or a disabled person's rehabilitation allowance of £19.80 per week. Information is not readily available regarding the payments to persons attending other workshops for the handicapped. In general, however, they are in receipt of a disabled person's maintenance allowance or a disabled person's rehabilitation allowance in addition to whatever payments such workshops make.