asked the Minister for Justice if his Department proposes to introduce a scheme whereby financial assistance will be given to relatives of prisoners serving sentences away from home towards their travelling costs, especially in needy cases.
Written Answers. - Prisoners Relatives.
209.
Apart from what I would classify as emergency cases, my Department are not involved in providing assistance for relatives to visit prisoners. Assistance may be provided in needy cases under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme which is administered by the health boards under the general direction and control of the Minister for Social Welfare. As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Social Welfare has stated in reply to a question on this subject that he is satisfied that applications are dealt with sympathetically. I am not satisfied that the introduction of an additional scheme by my Department is necessary or appropriate.