asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether boards of health and public assistance are entitled to supplement the payments made to widows under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act, and if he will state the instructions issued to local authorities regarding their duty to do so.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows' and Orphans' Pensions.
Mr. Hogan (for Mr. Keyes)
For the purposes of home assistance, the term "person eligible for assistance" means a poor person who is unable by his own industry or other lawful means to provide for himself or his dependents the necessities of life. It rests with the local authority concerned to determine in the case of each individual applicant whether he comes within this definition. No special instructions have been issued to the local authorities in the matter, as they are already well aware of their duties. The only communication addressed to local authorities in regard to the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act, 1935, was the circular letter of the 17th January, 1936, drawing attention to the provisions of Section 54 of the Act.