asked the Minister for Health if his Department provides any assistance towards the training or provision of guide dogs for the blind.

: My Department do not provide assistance for this purpose but, from funds provided from my Vote, the health boards make contributions to the National Council for the Blind. I understand that the council do not favour using funds for the provision of dogs for blind persons and prefer other techniques to facilitate such persons in maintaining mobility.

: Is the Minister not aware that a spokesman for the council called on the Government within the past month to make direct assistance available for the purchase of dogs?

: Relations in this regard would be between the council and the health board. The official attitude of the National Council for the Blind is as I have outlined. There are a number of arguments against the use of guide dogs.