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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Feb 1980

Vol. 318 No. 1

Written Answers. - Disabled Persons Allowances.

552.

asked the Minister for Health if he will amend the regulations governing payment of disabled persons maintenance allowance and rehabilitation maintenance and training allowance to enable payment of travel of a limited amount to facilitate a case where a person might prefer to visit and stay at their own home on a number of nights each week.

I am not clear what situation the Deputy has in mind. Persons in receipt of the allowances referred to are eligible for free travel. If the question relates to persons in institutions, however, I should explain that the aim of these schemes of allowances is to provide an income for disabled persons who are living in the community and who are unable to provide for their own maintenance. It is not, therefore, possible to make provision under these schemes for a travel allowance for persons who do not have to meet the cost of their own maintenance.

I would expect, however, that people resident in institutions who wish to go home for week-ends would receive all reasonable help from the health board. I will have regard to this situation when reviewing the present arrangements for the care of disabled people in institutions.

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