242 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether the rules for assessing disabled person's maintenance allowance will change when the responsibility for paying this allowance is transferred from the health boards to his Department, for example, whether payment will be limited to the total income of a household. [11424/96]

The legislative basis for the transfer of responsibility for the administration of the disabled person's maintenance allowance scheme from the health boards to this Department is contained in the Social Welfare Act, 1996. It is intended that the transfer will take place later this year and the scheme will be known as disability allowance.

The provisions of the Social Welfare Act include a number of important improvements in the scheme. First, in relation to the means assessment, the present arrangement which applies in the unemployment assistance scheme, whereby, when the spouse of a person claiming the allowance is employed, a disregard of £45 per week plus travel expenses is allowed, will also apply to disability allowance. There will also be an improvement in the assessment of capital, including a disregard of the first £2,000. Furthermore, in determining means, the present arrangement under which no assessment is made in respect of benefit and privilege will continue.

243 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons in receipt of disabled person's maintenance allowance in County Meath; and the number of persons in receipt of a blind person's pension in County Meath. [11534/96]

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:

Recipients in County Meath at 31 December 1995.

244 Mr. Reynolds asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have arrangements made to investigate an appeal for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and the reason for the delay in finalising this appeal. [11538/96]

The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance based on a means assessment of £14 per week. His claim was reviewed and his means were increased to £88 per week with effect from 21 February 1996, based on income from farming. He appealed this decision and his claim was considered by an appeals officer who has granted his request for an oral hearing. An oral hearing is being arranged and he will be advised of the exact date and venue as soon as arrangements have been completed.