asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a large number of recipients of disablement benefit who were receiving a supplementary home assistance allowance have been deprived of home assistance in the North Cork sanitary area and, if so, if he will state if this was due to departmental instruction to the local authority.

I am not aware that the position is as stated by the Deputy. Any such action is not due to any instruction issued by my Department to the public assistance authority.

The same thing prevails here as in the last case. We were giving a supplementary allowance to people receiving disablement benefit and it was taken off even before the people enjoyed the extra allowance they get under the Minister's Social Welfare Act. I think it is absolutely scandalous the way in which poor people in Cork have been treated during the last three weeks.

It is not due to any instructions from my Department.

Why not do what is right? This is not 1950.

Deputy Norton issued the instructions.

This is 1952.

Deputy Norton never issued any instruction like that.