asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that Patrick Hennessy, of Main Street, Drimoleague, Co. Cork, has only received ten weeks' benefit from the St. Finbarr's National Health Insurance Society, and that he has been refused benefit for the past eight weeks, although he is still ill and has regularly furnished medical certificates, and whether enquiries will be made in the case.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFIT CLAIM (CO. CORK).
A complaint was received by the Insurance Commissioners from this man that sickness benefit, which had been paid to him by St. Finbarr's Diocesan Health Insurance Society for about ten weeks, was discontinued as from the 28th March, 1925. Inquiries were made from which it appeared that the society were not satisfied that the claimant was incapable of work after that date, and they accordingly decided to discontinue payment of benefit. This information was conveyed to the insured person by an inspector of the Insurance Commissioners who, at the same time, explained that if he was not satisfied with the society's decision it was open to him to apply to the society to have the case submitted to arbitration, and if dissatisfied with the arbitrator's award, he could then appeal to the Insurance Commissioners for a final decision. As it subsequently transpired that he had not availed of this right, but had engaged a solicitor to take up his case, a second visit was paid to him by the inspector, who made it clear to him that the proper method of settling the dispute between him and his society as to his right to further benefit was by arbitration and appeal as provided by the society's rules. Apparently, however, he has not made any application to his society for arbitration.