Ba mhaith liom, maraon leis na Teachtaí eile a labhair arú inné sa Tigh seo, an Bille nua so um shláinte phoiblí do mholadh; agus ina theannta san comhgháirdeachas do ghabháil leis an Rúnaí Párlaiminte dábharr. Ar nóin, is céim bhreágh thábhachtach ar aghaidh an Bille seo, go mór-mhór do na daoine a dtuiteann galar meabhrach ar dtúis orthu; agus im thuairim féin nuair a cuirfear an Bille seo i bhfeidhm mar dhlí, coimeádfaidh sé éalang áirithe uathu amach má thárlaíonn go dtagann biseach nó feabhsú orthu taobh istigh de thrí nó sé míosa agus tabharfar sólás agus dóchas dá muintir chomh maith leís sin.
This new Bill has many excellent progressive features, more especially in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of early symptoms of mental illness. It is, I think, readily admitted by all sides of the House that it is an excellent measure and the Parliamentary Secretary in introducing such an admirable measure deserves our heartiest commendations. Roughly speaking, this measure will affect four sections of people. In the first place, we have the administrative bodies responsible to the Minister for the provision and administration of proper institutions for the treatment of mental disease. One of the splendid features of the Bill is the section dealing with the possibility of a number of such administrative bodies co-operating for the purpose of establishing research laboratories—a much-needed provision, I should say, in the preliminary work for the adequate treatment of this disease. I think it was Deputy O'Higgins who referred to the fact that there were no post-graduate courses for those who intended to specialise in this particular branch of national health but, as far as my knowledge and experience go, I think the medical men who were admitted to the mental hospital departments had first to undergo a postgraduate course in the study of mental diseases. In addition—probably the matter would not arise under this Bill —there is the provision of travelling studentships, and so on, in countries where this particular branch of medicine has received special attention for years.
Regarding the patients threatened or afflicted with mental illness, what I may call the early treatment period will save them from what is commonly regarded as a stigma. Mental disease is not more remarkable than any other disease, but in the public eye some stigma attached to those who were afflicted with mental disease.
Under the Bill, those who may be affected will now have a better chance of retaining their property, until the course of the disease is definitely established. The Parliamentary Secretary told us that about 33? per cent. of the patients recover after three to six months. There is a danger of relapse if they recover after three to six months and find themselves amongst people who for long years have been affected by this disorder. That danger is largely obviated by the provisions in this new Bill.
These provisions will relieve relatives of many natural anxieties. They will now know that special care and attention will be given patients in the early stages. The only part of the Bill likely to cause any difference of opinion will be the section dealing with the staffs in the immediate charge of the institutions and of the patients. We admit that the employment is not a very congenial one, involving as it does years of care and continued vigilance. The staffs look forward to getting two-thirds of their pay and emoluments as the basis of pensions. They will not get that under this Bill, even though many improvements have been made, for which full credits must be given to the Parliamentary Secretary. Instead of calculating on ten years previously as the basis of the pension to be granted, it will now be on the last three years. In addition, it is proposed to give one year's salary and emoluments. The staffs state that this is a contributory scheme. Many of them have been contributing since 1910. Even when the emoluments are included to their advantage, they would prefer two-thirds as the basis of pensions if the Parliamentary Secretary could see his way to grant that request. The easiest way for the substitution for what is in the Bill would be to put in one-sixtieth where one-eightieth occurs, and two-sixtieth where two-eightieth occurs. That means something in cash and a small rectification of the Bill.
When female attendants engaged in those institutions leave to get married after a number of years' service they were entitled to receive a certain salary and emoluments. Under the Bill they simply get back contributions paid towards pensions. I suggest to the Parliamentary Secretary that he should consider restoring the other provisions. After all, when attendants leave after ten years' service, they have an accumulation of rights towards pensions, and it is only right that, in addition to the restoration of the premiums they paid, some additional sum should be given. Those who are looking for two-thirds of their salaries as pensions are not looking for everything, but are prepared to give something. I believe they are prepared to pay 4 per cent. instead of the 3 per cent. they are now paying, if that concession were granted. There are other small items that affect pensions. One is that those in these institutions feel that they are prematurely aged and that there should be some provision for the continuation of the payment of portion of their pensions to widows. The Parliamentary Secretary has a very admirable provision in the Bill for the payment of moneys in certain circumstances to the legal representative of members of the staffs. That provision in the Bill is an improvement. One fear in that regard is that it may be too closely interpreted. A person entering the service has to pass an examination and if disabled afterwards by heart disease or digestive trouble, due perhaps to anxiety and the nature of the work, there is a fear that the provision may be too closely interpreted. I congratulate the Parliamentary Secretary on introducing this measure which, I am sure, will be sympathetically received by the entire community.