asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to a report that a charitable organisation had spent over a quarter of a million pounds in Dublin in the past year helping people in need; if he will state the amount by way of home assistance provided in Dublin in the same period; and if in the light of this information he proposes to take further measures to eliminate poverty in Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Assistance for Dublin Poor.
21.
I have seen a report which I take to be the one to which the Deputy refers. The amount included in the current year's estimates of the Dublin Health Authority for home assistance is £438,000. I may say that the estimates for my own Department for the current year include more than £47 million for social assistance, an increase as compared with the previous year of nearly £4 million. A large part of this will, of course, be expended in Dublin. These figures do not take into account the increases which came into operation in August last and for which supplementary provision will be necessary.
I might add that as was announced in the Third Programme, I am having a fundamental examination made of the social assistance scheme—including home assistance—with a view to determining what further reforms and improvements might be made.
Does the Minister admit that a private organisation can raise over half what he is raising for Dublin city? Is that what he is admitting?
Whatever is there, is there.
In view of this, is it not obvious to him that there is severe poverty in Dublin city and that home assistance is not catering for it or doing anything to eliminate it? He has not indicated what positive action he will take. We hear constantly about examination but nothing positive comes of them.
I outlined what I was doing. I should like to pay tribute to the organisation in question. I want also to assure Deputies that no matter how far I go or any other Minister goes in improving the situation—and we are improving it very definitely— there will always be room for some of these charitable organisations who do excellent work.
The Minister would praise anyone who does his work.
There is no person whose conditions could not be improved.
There is extreme poverty in this city and you are doing nothing about it.
Question No. 22.
In Donegal too, as we saw lately.
They did not believe a word you told them.