asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that a large number of persons whose applications under the Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) Regulations, 1954, have been refused on medical grounds by the Dublin Corporation have been in receipt of home assistance for many years as permanently disabled persons; and, if so, if he will request the corporation to re-examine such cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disablement Allowances.
I am not aware of the medical condition of persons whose applications for allowances under the Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) Regulations, 1954, have been refused by the Dublin Corporation. As I informed the Deputy in reply to a previous question on the 27th April last, I have no power to intervene in the health authority's decisions on applications for allowances under the regulations.
I understand that Dublin Corporation is willing in particular cases on appeal from the persons concerned to reconsider decisions given in which the allowance was refused on medical grounds
asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the fact that payment of disablement allowances has now been in operation for the past seven months, he will request the Dublin Corporation to pay the arrears due to qualified persons with the least possible delay.
The Dublin Corporation have intimated that the retrospective payment of allowances under the Disabled Persons (Maintenance Allowances) Regulations, 1954, was held up in order to determine the amount of arrears payable to persons who had been in receipt of home assistance. As a consequence of the making by the Minister for Social Welfare on the 6th instant of the Home Assistance Order, 1955, the corporation expects to be in a position to determine the amount of arrears due in each case and to make payment at an early date.