asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that a person (name supplied) who lost a leg and has a seriously disabled hand was refused a disabled person's maintenance allowance by Tipperary North Riding County Council on the grounds that he was not qualified as disabled on medical grounds; and if he will take steps to see that this case, and other similar cases where persons are clearly rendered unfit for normal employment, are not refused an allowance on medical grounds.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disablement Allowance.
2.
Under the regulations governing disabled persons maintenance allowances no person is eligible for an allowance unless, in the opinion of the chief medical officer of the health authority, or any other authorised medical officer of the health authority, he is, by reason of a specified disability, substantially handicapped in undertaking work of a kind which, if he were not suffering from that disability, would be suited to his age, experience and qualifications. The determination of eligibility for an allowance under these provisions is reserved to the health authority, and there is no appellate jurisdiction vested in the Minister for Health.
I am, however, in communication with the health authority regarding the circumstances of the case mentioned and the Deputy may wish to repeat the question in about a fortnight's time. I must emphasise again, however, that the final decision on eligibility for an allowance in an individual case does not rest with me.
I am sure the Minister will agree that where a man has lost one leg and almost all the fingers of his right hand, no medical doctor could certify him as an able-bodied man fit for work.
As I am not a medical doctor, I am not prepared to enter into a controversy on that matter.