I noticed that in this Estimate the item for salaries, wages and allowances has been reduced. If I remember aright, there was considerable discussion on the cost of administration of this Department last year. I, and others, called attention to the fact that it seemed unnecessary to have three Commissioners, and, if I recollect aright, I think the Minister agreed that three such highly paid officials were not necessary for the work of the Department. I take it from the Estimate here that no means have been found during the year of reducing the cost so far as the Commissioners are concerned. Of course, it is well to see that the Estimate under sub-head A— Salaries, Wages and Allowances— has been reduced even by £2,000. That is something to the good. National Health Insurance is in itself an excellent thing, but considering how sparsely a great part of our country is populated, it is bound to result in very high overhead charges in this country compared with neighbouring countries that are highly industrialised, so that everything we can do to reduce overhead charges should be done. If anything could be done to find other work to fit the qualifications of perhaps two of the Commissioners in other Departments, I think it should be done. I do not think there is any difference of opinion that in so far as the three heads of the Department are concerned, at least one, and perhaps two, could be done without.
Time has not, I am sure, yet been found by the Minister to examine the report that has been issued dealing with the National Health Insurance in the Free State but I would like to know if he has any idea, having given the examination that he thinks is necessary to the recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission, when legislation, if such were decided upon, will be introduced. I think many Deputies on these benches agree that a radical reorganisation not alone of National Health Insurance but National Health Insurance in connection with public health in general, is a thing that should be tackled as soon as possible. If the Minister could tell us if there was any prospect of legislation at an early date for the purpose of re-organising National Health Insurance and possibly co-ordinating it with public health services generally, we would be glad.
There is just one other point. Looking over the Estimate, one sees that there are 10 inspectors with salaries totalling £5,906 and bonus and 47 assistant inspectors with salaries totalling £11,400 and bonus, provided for. That seems to be a very big number of inspectors. Is the Minister satisfied, I wonder, that 10 inspectors and 47 assistant inspectors, 57 inspectors altogether, are absolutely indispensable in connection with National Health work? It seems an extraordinary number, more than two for every county in the Free State. It would look as if some of that work at any rate might be passed on to others who, in my opinion, have less to do and who could do that work perhaps as efficiently. Another point that has occurred to me is in connection with actuarial work. I see there is contained in the Estimate a sum of £600 for the payment of an actuary. That money is being paid to an English actuary. Is there not a citizen of the Free State to whom that position could be offered? Could not a competent actuary be found in the Free State to do that work? It is a small sum, £600 for this year, but £1,100 was paid last year. It seems strange that we have to go to England to find an actuary to do that work for the Insurance Commission. Of course we know that it is highly specialised work. I believe that the two or three insurance companies that do exist here in the Free State have, so far as I know, to employ British actuaries. Whether the reason is that there is no Irish actuary available I do not know. If there be no Irish actuary available there is nothing else to do, but if there is such a professional man qualified in the Free State—I imagine amongst chartered accountants there should be one qualified as an actuary—he should get an opportunity to do that work.
Another point to which I would wish to refer arises under sub-head (F) (1)—Medical and Sanatorium Benefits. There is an estimate for this year of £36,150. On looking over the last volume of the Appropriation Accounts for the year 1927-28, I see that in that year all that was spent was £27,000, although a sum of £37,500 was estimated for. I would be glad if the Minister would tell us whether or not this amount is likely to be overestimated to the same extent as was the Estimate for the year 1927-28.
