asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a directive has been sent from his Department to halt the payments under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to assist in the cost of transport to outpatient services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Under the provisions of the Health Acts a health board may make arrangements for providing ambulances or other means of transport for the conveyance of patients to and from hospitals. In view of the fact that this facility is available as part of the health services provided by the health boards it is not an appropriate item of charge under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. A letter explaining this was issued recently from my Department to the Eastern Health Board in response to an inquiry from the board in a particular case. The case in question was subsequently resolved by the board.