asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is prepared to cause inquiry to be made as to the circumstances in which the Unified Society failed to pay sickness benefit to the dependents of John O'Callaghan (Reg. No. 202946), Tralbulgan, Whitegate, County Cork; whether he is aware that John O'Callaghan is an inmate of Cork Mental Hospital, and that the committee of management of the mental hospital have called upon his parents to make a payment of 7/6 per week towards the cost of his maintenance; and whether, having regard to the circumstances of the family, he will instruct the Unified Society to pay Mr. O'Callaghan's disablement benefit to his dependents to enable them discharge their liabilities to the mental hospital authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unified Society Payments.
I am informed by the society that a sister of Mr. O'Callaghan claimed to be dependent on her brother but the society are not satisfied that she is so dependent, and have informed her accordingly. If she is dissatisfied with that decision she has the right to have the matter decided by arbitration in accordance with the society's Disputes Rule, with the right of subsequent appeal to the Minister. She has also been communicated with by the society in order to ascertain if she is prepared to administer portion of the benefit (i.e., 5/- per week) for the personal advantage of Mr. O'Callaghan whilst he is an inmate of the mental hospital, in accordance with article 226 of the Approved Societies' Consolidated Regulations, 1918. The balance is to be retained for the member's benefit on discharge. Mr. O'Callaghan's father was informed on the 4th February, 1937, that no portion of the benefit payable in respect of his son's insurance could be paid towards his maintenance in the mental hospital.