asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Act, 1953, provides for the payment of disability allowances to adults afflicted by cerebral palsy; and under what conditions, if any, payment is made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cerebral Palsy Invalids: Disability Allowances.
11.
Sub-section (5) of Section 50 of the Act provides for the payment by local health authorities, in accordance with regulations, of maintenance allowances to the class of persons specified in sub-section (6) of the section, viz. disabled persons over 16 years of age who are unable to provide for their own maintenance and whose relatives are unable to maintain them. The regulations define the class of disability covered as disability caused by "injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect, which has continued or may reasonably be expected to continue for at least one year from its onset." This allowance is not payable to a disabled person who is being maintained in an institution.
It will be seen from the foregoing that, subject to means, a disability allowance (which may not exceed £1 a week) may be paid to an adult afflicted by cerebral palsy. The determination of any applicant's eligibility for a disabled person's allowance is a matter for his local health authority.