asked the Minister for Health if he has received correspondence concerning a family (details supplied) in Dublin 24, relating to medical treatment which may be required by a member of the family; and, if so, the present position.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
681.
I have received correspondence concerning the family referred to by the Deputy. A reply has been issued to the correspondent advising the family of the procedures for applying for assistance towards the costs of medical treatment abroad and suggesting that they make application for assistance to the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board. The Eastern Health Board have the responsibility for the provision of health services in the area concerned and the board will be in a position to advise the family on this matter. I understand that the Eastern Health Board have not yet received such an application from the family.
682.
asked the Minister for Health if disabled person's maintenance allowance payments will be resumed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Disabled person's maintenance allowance is payable to persons who, due to a disability, are incapable of working for at least one year. Periodic medical examinations are carried out to confirm the continuing eligibility of recipients.
A recent medical examination has established that the person referred to by the Deputy is now capable of taking up work. The South-Eastern Health Board therefore have discontinued the person's disabled person's maintenance allowance and have advised him to apply to the Department of Social Welfare for unemployment assistance. It is open to the person in question to apply for assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme while his application for unemployment assistance is under examination.