Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 6

Written Answers. - People with Disabilities.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

279 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the number of persons with serious disability, who are in residential accommodation but are not entitled to any community allowance, and that as a result many such residents may have no income whatsoever unless relatives provide for them; and the proposals, if any, he has to give some independent financial means to such persons to allow them purchase basic comforts.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

There is an informal scheme of payments to people with disabilities who are in residential accommodation and who have no other source of income. Under this scheme health boards may pay a sum of £10 per week to such people to cover the cost of basic necessities such as newspapers, toiletries, sweets, etc. I have asked my Department to examine the feasibility of placing this scheme on a more formal basis.