Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Feb 1995

Vol. 448 No. 6

Written Answers. - Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance.

Michael Ferris

Question:

80 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays in processing applications for disabled persons maintenance allowance; if he will have arrangements made to investigate the application from a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the date of the first application; the date of the second application; the expected date this application will be processed; if it will be approved from the first application date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2571/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Applications for disabled person's maintenance allowance payment were delayed last year because of industrial action taken by the directors of community care. However, I am pleased to state that this dispute was resolved and that health boards are giving priority to clearing the back-log of cases built up during the dispute.

However, as payment of disabled person's maintenance allowance in any individual case is a matter for the health board concerned, the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer, South-Eastern Health Board with a request that he examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.