asked the Minister for Health when the relaxed method of determining means for disabled persons' maintenance allowance, provided for in section 69 of the Health Act, 1970, will come into force.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disabled Persons' Maintenance Allowance.
26.
I am not at present in a position to furnish the information requested by the Deputy as implementation of the provisions of section 69 of the Health Act, 1970, has been deferred pending the availability of finance to meet the additional expenditure involved.
For how long does the Minister expect this deferment to operate?
I could not say. Every other section of the Health Act which provided an extension of services or monetary relief for persons receiving the service has now been implemented save this one. I could not tell the Deputy when I propose to implement this one.
Could the Minister tell me why the disabled people in this country are the lowest in his order of priority as far as the health services are concerned?
The Deputy is wrong in saying that they are the lowest. If the Deputy works out the amount paid in disablement allowances say five years ago and the amount paid today he will find that the increase is more than that warranted by the increase in the cost of living.
I would like to ask a couple of questions on this subject because it was discussed in January last. The Minister knows this Health Act came into operation on 1st April, 1970, and now it is past the 1st April two years later. Would he not agree that it is completely unfair that this particular section, which is one of the most beneficial sections in the Act, is deferred indefinitely? Is he not aware that many disabled people who live with relatives, some not even of first degree relationship, throughout the country, are denied payment from the different health boards in view of the fact that section 69 has not yet become law? Surely the Minister will agree that this section is the one we should be most sympathetic to and most careful about because it refers to a group of disabled people?
The Deputy may not make a long statement. He may not wag his finger at the Chair. I am calling Question No. 27.
With your permission I would like to ask a question and get an answer to it. Is this to be the type of legislation that we will have enacted here, that we will pass a Bill here——
The Deputy may not continue. He knows he is not in order. I am calling Question No. 27.
I am speaking on behalf of a section of disabled people in this country who are denied the benefits of the Health Act.
Would Deputy Murphy allow the other questions to proceed? I am calling Question No. 27.
I would like the Minister to answer my question.
I have already told the Deputy that the contribution this year from the State is something in the region of £4 million to £5 million for disablement allowances. I have addressed a letter to the chief executive officers suggesting to them, in view of the deferring of this particular section of the Act, that they perhaps take a more liberal view when they are giving disability allowances, that they inquire into the question of how far the family contribute. So, I have taken steps to help those people.
Why delay in bringing in this section of the Health Act?