asked the Minister for Health if he will waive the charges payable by disabled persons in homes and institutions for essential items such as incontinence pads as the charges for them imposes severe hardship on these disabled persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Charges on Disabled Persons.
647.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the situation in relation to persons being maintained in private homes and institutions, for whom a standard subvention towards charges for services is payable by the health board. The subvention is intended to relate to the overall charges made in individual cases. The health board is not involved in the detailed arrangements for charges. This is a matter for the authorities of the homes.
Nevertheless health boards may make special local arrangements for the supply of such items to alleviate undue hardship and it is understood that the South Eastern Health Board is prepared to look sympathetically at such cases.