asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of the hardships of invalid persons who are not in receipt of an allowance from any of the social welfare schemes; and, if so, if he will have the necessary steps taken to provide for such persons, if necessary by the introduction of proposals for legislation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision for Invalid Persons.
Section 50 of the recently-enacted Health Act, 1953, enables health authorities to pay maintenance allowances to disabled persons over 16 years of age who cannot maintain themselves or whose relatives cannot maintain them, and further legislation is not, therefore, required.
I am at present preparing a scheme for such allowances and when it is ready it will be sent to health authorities for their views.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that, under the law as at present, a number of these disabled people cannot get any allowances? Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether in the proposals for legislation there will be a provision applicable to these people in the same way as it is applicable to blind and semi-blind people?
It will be embodied in the Bill.