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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Disability Allowance.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

433 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that the Thalidomide victim allowance is increased on an annual basis as is the case with social welfare payments; if a Christmas bonus will be paid to recipients of the allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1278/00]

As the Deputy will be aware, from late 1991, the monthly payments made by my Department to Irish people affected by the Thalidomide drug were linked to movements in the disabled persons maintenance allowance, which is now called disability allowance and administered by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.

I have asked officials in my Department to consider if there is an entitlement to Christmas bonuses under the scheme of payments made to people affected by the Thalidomide drug. I will be in touch with the Deputy again when I have further information.

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