asked the Minister for Health if health boards are authorised to pay or make a contribution towards the salaries of social workers employed by the National Council for the Blind; and, if not, if he will give such an authorisation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blind Welfare.
8.
Health boards may make contributions of the type and for the purpose mentioned, subject to the approval of the Minister for Health. Any request for such approval made to me will be sympathetically considered.
Can the Minister state if any requests for such approval have been made to him?
Yes. We sanctioned three proposals in June already.
Would the Minister indicate his encouragement to the health boards to make such applications?
Yes. Under the Blind Persons Act, 1920, it is the duty of every local authority to prepare and submit for ministerial approval schemes with regard to blind welfare. There are many such schemes in operation.
9.
asked the Minister for Health if he has any proposals to established in Ireland a rehabilitation centre for the blind.
The existing services are provided to a great extent by voluntary organisations. I would not at present envisage any substantial integration of these services under unified control, but would hope that they can be developed further in a co-ordinated manner.
Can the Minister state if it is a fact that at the moment some people who become blind have to go to Britain in order to get rehabilitative treatment? Does the Minister consider this a satisfactory situation?
For certain types of work blind persons are sent to Great Britain. We will be continuing the work of the Minister for Social Welfare in examining what can be done about the rehabilitation and training of blind persons. As the Deputy knows, there is a National Council for the Blind with branches in every county and each branch employs a social worker. There is the National Council for the Blind of Ireland and the National League of the Blind. I hope that through co-ordination and action by all these bodies we will steadily improve the welfare services for the blind.