asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 who is suffering from multiple sclerosis cannot claim a disabled person's maintenance allowance in her own right under the equal treatment legislation, if her husband is receiving unemployment assistance; if he is aware that she is thereby denied her right to claim other benefits such as free telephone rental which she would receive if she qualified for the allowance, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance.
126.
The regulations governing payment of the disabled person's maintenance allowance require the health board to take account of the person's own income and the income of the spouse. As the spouse of the person in question is in receipt of unemployment assistance she has been refused a disabled person's maintenance allowance on means grounds.