(Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health if he regards the present regulation where by a person in receipt of disabled person's maintenance allowance has his/her allowance discontinued after eight weeks in hospital as just; and if he will consider making a small payment to cover incidental expenses in hospital to people in receipt of same.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
172.
The basis for payment of disabled person's maintenance allowance is to provide for the maintenance of an individual in the community. A person in receipt of institutional care is already being maintained by the health board. However, health boards do make a payment to persons in long stay institutions who have no means of their own to cover incidental expenses. These payments vary depending on the capacity of the individual but generally are of the order of £8 per week.