asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the reasons for the delay in providing a suitable scheme for the remuneration of home assistance officers throughout the country in respect of their additional work and duties; and, as most of these officers have very small incomes, if he will formulate such a scheme forthwith.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Remuneration of Home Assistance Officers.
If the Deputy refers to additional duties performed by assistance officers in connection with the administration of the supplementary cash allowances scheme, the scheme of assistance in kind to recipients of home assistance, and the footwear scheme for children, I may say that there has been no avoidable delay in dealing with the question of their remuneration for such duties. Local authorities have already been advised as to the amounts payable in respect of the supplementary cash allowances scheme and the scheme of assistance in kind to recipients of home assistance. The review of the work involved in connection with the footwear scheme for children is not finally completed, but a decision will be communicated to local authorities very shortly.