asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are 30 applications in County Kildare in respect of domiciliary allowances for the mentally handicapped awaiting decision by the Eastern Health Board; and if the question of the provision of further finance for this scheme has been discussed recently with officials of his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally Handicapped Domiciliary Allowances.
7.
I am informed by the Eastern Health Board that in respect of County Kildare there are at present seven applications awaiting decision under the scheme in question.
I indicated on 21st March, 1974, in reply to the Deputy's previous question regarding the scheme, that the position as to the availability of funds had been clarified with the health board. The question of the provision of further finance has not since been raised by the board with my Department.
I would emphasise that any child who qualifies for the allowance will receive it.
The Minister is no doubt aware that the minutes of the last meeting of the local branch of the Eastern Health Board did convey that there were 30 applications. Am I to understand that these have been reduced to seven in the meantime? Written into the minutes, too, is a clear indication that the Minister was to be approached to provide extra funds to deal with these cases.
May I repeat, as I indicated to the Deputy on the 21st March—I do not know on what date the meeting took place——
The March meeting.
I do not know whether it was before or after the 21st March but, as far as the availability of money is concerned, there is no problem. As far as the numbers are concerned, as I have said, there are seven. It is true that there are seven other applicants but they are under the prescribed age too.