Tomás MacGiolla
Question:63 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the practice of the Eastern Health Board of using the provisions of section 138 (2) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981 to transfer mentally handicapped persons from the disabled person's maintenance allowance to unemployment assistance leading to reduction in income for the persons concerned, as well as inconvenience and insecurity; if he will consider taking any steps to end this practice and ensure that mentally handicapped persons continue to qualify for the disabled person's maintenance allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.