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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Nov 1980

Vol. 324 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Handicapped Persons Mobility Allowance.

7.

asked the Minister for Health if he now intends to introduce any arrangements for the payment of the mobility allowance to handicapped people living in institutions, given the fact that 1981 is the International Year of the Disabled.

This question will be considered as part of the review of residential care provision for the physically handicapped which is being undertaken at present.

In view of the fact that we are less than eight weeks away from the commencement of the International Year for the Disabled, can the Minister give any indication as to when this review might end, or might it conclude at the end of 1980? In the event of the review ending fairly soon, before Christmas, can he give some hope that there might be a positive contribution from his Department to mark this particular international year?

I would certainly give consideration to any positive contributions which can be made at the beginning of this year, apart from the more in-depth work which will arise from the studies done during the year, of which there will be a number.

May I congratulate the Minister on being able to turn out officialese with such fluency after such a short time in office?

A question, please, Deputy.

Is there any money in the kitty? Can question No. 7 be answered by the Minister in English which the physically disabled can understand? In other words, has the Minister any money to give them an allowance? Sorry, I shall repeat that. Does the Department of Health, for whom Deputy Woods is currently the Minister, have the money to give a mobility allowance to those who are legally classified as disabled, as a mark of our recognition of 1981 as the International Year of the Disabled? Is the Minister in a position to make a decision and a statement on that matter now?

The Deputy will appreciate that there are many questions and many similar demands which could be made.

I appreciate that.

I have told the Deputy that I shall give very serious consideration to what aspects can be met at the beginning of the year. The Deputy is well aware that these are normally matters which are taken into consideration in relation to the budget for the year.

Deputy Boland, Ceist.

Ceist agus freagra, a Cheann Comhairle.

Would the Minister accept that the elimination of physically disabled people living in institutions from the mobility allowance is unfair to them? In that context, would he agree to look at the extension of the very restricted elements in this scheme?

I agree with the Deputy that I am prepared to look at this aspect and shall give the matter my full and sincere consideration.

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