asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will facilitate those who are substantially and permanently handicapped, of low income and living alone, by providing for them or assisting them in obtaining a telephone and any special equipment necessary to enable them to use a telephone.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Facilities for Permanently Handicapped.
33.
The answer is in the negative.
Would the Minister reconsider the approach to this matter on the basis that in regard to those who are substantially and permanently handicapped, of low income and living alone the alternative to providing a telephone or assistance towards the use of a telephone is that the local health authority must pay £35 a week for them in an institution? Surely the Minister will agree that the provision of such an elementary facility, which would keep substantially and permanently handicapped persons, living alone, of very low means, in comparative contact with the world would be quite rational and reasonable? It operates in Northern Ireland, in Britain and in the European countries generally as a social security facility and the Minister says the reply is in the negative.
While I find certain merit in the scheme it would be most difficult to operate and fairly costly too. I would imagine that there are other priorities which should be pursued before we think of installing these facilities for handicapped people.
The Minister said that about travel allowances.
In blocks of flats where old people live together they have a push-button system whereby they can give alarm to the central attendant or caretaker. That kind of system could operate quite effectively and very cheaply. Telephone equipment is not that costly for the few hundred people in the country who could usefully benefit from this instead of being a major charge on State funds in an institution. Would the Minister reconsider it?
Question No. 34.
On a superficial examination of the problem the cost figure is given at around £6 million.
Now, now.
I shall let the Deputy see the figures.
There are a couple of noughts wrong in the Minister's figure.
The Deputy is thinking in terms of blocks of flats in Dublin. He is not thinking of handicapped people in rural Ireland where a line may have to be taken 15 miles from the post office.
Hear, hear.
That is all the more reason why they should have a telephone.
I am explaining the cost factor.
We cannot discuss this question all evening. Question No. 34.