I ask leave to introduce a Bill to establish a Medical Certification Fund under the control and management of the Irish Insurance Commissioners, and for that purpose and also for other purposes to amend, and extend the National Health Insurance Acts, 1911 and 1923. Hitherto the cost of medical certification under National Health Insurance has been paid solely by State contribution. In the Estimates 1923-24 there is an item of £51,200 for that. There is no such item in the Estimates for the coming year, and it is proposed to find the amount necessary for paying for medical certification out of the various items of the Insurance Fund itself. There would still be a certain State contribution towards medical certification, but that will amount only to 2-9th of the entire payment, so that the amount of the State contribution will be less by something like £35,000. I think I need not at this stage indicate the details or the way in which it is proposed to find the money. The amount allowed to societies for administration is 4s. 10d., and it is proposed to reduce that to 4s. 5d. Five-pence will be found in that way. Various other sums will be found inside the insurance scheme for the purpose of meeting the necessary expenses.
Bill read a First time. Ordered for Second Reading Tuesday next, June 3rd.
