Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 6

Written Answers. - Delay in Payment of Disabled Person's. Maintenance Allowance.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

182 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the disruption being caused to applicants for disabled person's maintenance allowance in that these applications are not presently being processed owing to the industrial dispute with the directors of community care; the steps, if any, that are being taken to ensure that undue hardship is not suffered by such applicants as a consequence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I am aware that applications for disabled person's maintenance allowance in a number of health board areas have not been processed because of the industrial dispute with the directors of community care. However, I understand that arrangements are being made for the payment of supplementary welfare allowance in cases where applications for disabled person's maintenance allowance have not been processed due to the industrial dispute to ensure that undue hardship is not caused to applicants.