Vol. 413 No. 7
97 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the assistance which can be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 who lives alone and whose entire savings of £4,000 was stolen from her leaving her with many outstanding bills.
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is administered by the health boards and the question of entitlement to payment is a matter for determination by the relevant board.
I understand that the person in question, who is in receipt of a widow's contributory pension, sought assistance from the Eastern Health Board after her flat was burgled and personal belongings stolen. As her pension was payable on the same day, she received a once-off payment of £10 in respect of her previous weeks pension which had been stolen.
It would now appear that she did not advise the board of the full extent of her losses in the burglary. In the circumstances I suggest that she should again contact the community welfare officer at her local health centre with the details and the question of further assistance will be considered.
