Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2004
208 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the plans she has to alleviate the financial plight of parents of frequently hospitalised or long-stay child in-patients by introducing a scheme of assistance to parents in these circumstances on the lines recommended by Children in Hospital Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18083/04]
View answerMy Department does not operate any specific scheme of financial assistance for parents in the circumstances referred to by the Deputy. The only possible source of such assistance would be by way of an exceptional needs payment through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy and, having examined its recommendations, will be discussing the matter with my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children.
The introduction of a specific scheme of assistance for parents whose children experience long or frequent spells in hospital would have financial implications and would have to be examined in a budgetary context.
