Vol. 480 No. 2
267 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Meath, who is suffering from cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair, is entitled to an intercom for her home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13778/97]
There is provision under my Department's supplementary welfare allowance scheme for payments to help with the cost of once-off essential, exceptional needs of people who have little or no income. However, there is no provision under the SWA scheme to cover the cost of installing an intercom in the home of a disabled person.
The needs of the disabled are primarily the responsibility of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Local authorities and health boards also provide certain supports for disabled people on behalf of the Departments of the Environment and Health, respectively. The person concerned should contact their local authority and their health board to establish if those agencies are in a position to provide assistance in this matter.
