Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 1

Written Answers. - Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance.

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

77 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding remuneration to the spouse of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in the event of her taking up employment in view of the fact that this family is on disabled person's maintenance allowance and has a very limited income. [11020/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Under section 69 of the Health Act, 1970 and regulations made thereunder, health boards, in assessing eligibility for disabled person's maintenance allowance (DPMA), are obliged to have regard to the means of both the applicant and his or her spouse.

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