asked the Minister for Health the appropriate amount of disabled persons maintenance allowance that should be paid to handicapped persons over the age of 18; if this allowance is means tested for handicapped persons over the age of 18; if the means of parents are taken into account; if a standard means test operates in all health boards; and if he has received any complaints about inconsistency in the awarding of disabled persons maintenance allowance by the North Eastern Health Board.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
27.
The maximum personal rate of disabled persons maintenance allowance currently payable is £47.20 per week. Payment of the allowance is subject to a means test. The means only of the applicant and spouse, if any, is taken into account. Otherwise health boards are allowed discretion in the assessment of the means of individual applicants — but in general the Department of Social Welfare guidelines are used.
If the Deputy has specific instances of inconsistency in the application of these regulations I will be happy to have them pursued.