asked the Minister for Health if there is an allowance payable for the care of severely handicapped children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Care of Handicapped Children.
8.
It is presumed that the Deputy's question refers to severely mentally handicapped children. There is no provision for payment of allowances for the care in their own homes of severely mentally handicapped children. Such children are covered as regards health by the same provisions as other categories and in addition may obtain any necessary drugs free of charge. There is also provision for payment of financial assistance to families in necessitous circumstances, and in the case of persons over 16 years of age, the disabled persons maintenance regulations provide for payment of allowances to disabled persons who cannot maintain themselves and whose near relatives cannot maintain them.
The Minister has mentioned over 16 years of age and I am aware of that. However, is he aware that in some cases, particularly of severely handicapped children, mentally and physically, where they are cared for at home, this can be a great strain on parents, particularly on parents of limited means? Does the Minister agree that an allowance should be made available to the parents of those children?
We have had a number of proposals in relation to mentally handicapped persons from the Consultative Council on Mental Handicap and this is one of the matters that are under examination at present.
I am talking about cases which are kept at home on medical advice because there is no hope of an improvement in an institution provided for such cases. Does he not think that this allowance should be made available or some consideration given?
I have told the Deputy we are giving the matter consideration.
Could I bring to your attention, Sir, the fact that the Minister did not answer Question No. 6. He referred to a tabular statement but, as you will see, the second part of the question asks about a waiting list and, secondly, if he was satisfied that a sufficient number of geriatric beds were available, and he did not answer that.
That is not so. The reply is: "I am satisfied that the position is reasonably satisfactory at present and that it will be considerably improved when extra accommodation in course of development becomes available."
Could he also tell me if there is a waiting list?
The Deputy will get that reply.
Does the Minister not think I am entitled to that? It is not a tabular statement.
The Deputy can ask another question next week when he has seen the figures.
I have asked if there is a waiting list.
The statement gives the waiting list and the Deputy can ask another question.
Therefore the Minister admits there is a waiting list?
Yes.
That is all I want to know.