asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he considers that the terms under which prescribed relative allowance is available to persons are unduly restrictive; and if he will consider including this allowance within the general ambit of the community care services provided by the health board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prescribed Relative Allowance Scheme.
10.
Under their terms of reference the Commission on Social Welfare are carrying out an evaluation of the structure and operation of the entire range of social welfare services. The adequacy and effectiveness of the prescribed relative allowance scheme and its functional position within the range of community care services will be considered by the commission in this overall context.
The report of the commission is expected later this year and in the meantime changes in the prescribed relatives' allowance scheme are not proposed.
While I acknowledge that the commission are working on these issues, the Minister should be in a position to answer specific queries on a scheme like this. In particular, does he not think it unduly restrictive to exclude spouses as prescribed relatives? Does he not also consider it unduly restrictive that no prescribed relatives' allowance can be paid where there is a third adult in the house, apart from the incapacitated person and the prescribed relative.
I agree that the scheme of its nature is restrictive but it is intended to ensure that the resources provided under it are directed to the right areas and that is the reason for the restrictive nature of the conditions. I am sure that the commission are considering this aspect of the scheme because the system is not totally satisfactory. In limiting the restriction one has to be careful not to lose any of the effectiveness of the resources devoted to the scheme which are solely to assist the elderly person and to enable the relative to remain at home to do that.
If the purpose of the scheme is to help people to be cared for in their own home instead of being a burden on the State in an institution, does the Minister agree that it should be less restrictive in the ways I suggested and also that it should be included in the community care programmes of the health boards which deal with this kind of problem? As it is simply a social welfare matter, it tends to be hived off from the general health community care side.
I do not want to pre-empt the recommendations of the Commission on Social Welfare but the Deputy's suggestion might well be one of them because it is a scheme that could be restructured.
Could the Minister indicate whether a review is taking place of people in receipt of the prescribed relatives' allowance? Is he aware that a number of people who had been granted the allowance in the last two years have been disqualified recently because of a very rigid interpretation of the terms of the scheme?
That is a separate question.
It is in relation to the prescribed relatives' allowance scheme.
One could spend a week talking about it.
It is relevant.
It does not arise on this question.
If the Deputy gives me details later on this evening, I will have the matter investigated.
I hope that the commission will give strong consideration to the prescribed relatives' allowance and the restrictiveness of the category of relatives eligible to look after elderly people especially as the whole thrust of health is now towards community care instead of hospitalisation. The restrictiveness of such a prescribed relatives' allowance does not value or acknowledge in any way the work done by the person who is caring for——
This has nothing to do with the question and this is why Question Time is in such a mess. We are debating policy day after day when Question Time is supposed to be an opportunity to ascertain facts.
The question asks whether the Minister is satisfied that the terms under which prescribed relatives allowance is available to persons is unduly restrictive and I believed that my question was in order.
You are making a statement but not asking a question.
Are the Minister and the commission considering not just the restrictiveness in regard to the elderly but the care involved also, particularly with regard to allowing contributory welfare credits to the person who cares for the elderly?
I am sure the commission are considering all aspects of the matter.