asked the Minister for Defence if he will state how many ex-members of the National Army are inmates of the Mental Hospital at Letterkenny, whether the status of these patients is that of pauper lunatics, and whether any allowance is made by the Department to the Mental Hospital Committee in respect of these men's maintenance and the additional comforts customarily given to such patients by the British Government in the case of British ex-Servicemen.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - EX-MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ARMY IN LETTERKENNY MENTAL HOSPITAL.
So far as I am aware, only one ex-member of the Army is an inmate of the Mental Hospital at Letterkenny. His care and maintenance are chargeable against the local rates. I regret that I have no power to make any allowance to the Mental Hospital Committee in respect of him.
Does the Minister think it right that ex-members of the National Army should be a charge on the local rates for their maintenance in lunatic asylums?
It is not what I think right or Christian, but what is allowed by legislation.
Why does not the Minister ask for legislation to put it right?
I will consider that.