Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Feb 1946

Vol. 99 No. 7

Committee on Finance. - Vote 44—National Health Insurance.

Minister for Local Government and Public Health (Mr. MacEntee)

I move:—

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £2,200 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1946, for Salaries and Expenses in connection with the Administration of the National Health Insurance Acts, 1911 to 1942, and the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts, 1935 to 1940; for services in connection with Food Allowances and with Supplementary Payments to certain Beneficiaries under the above-mentioned Acts (Emergency Powers Act, 1939) and for sundry Contributions, Grants and Payments, including certain Grants-in-Aid in respect of the cost of Benefits and Expenses of Administration under the National Health Insurance Acts.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health (Mr. Childers)

Emergency Powers (No. 318) Order, 1944, authorises the payment of emergency supplementary allowances to widows, dependent children of widows and orphan children (other than those in institutions) in receipt of pensions, whether contributory or non-contributory, under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts, 1935 to 1940, where resident in areas to which the scheme of food allowances does not extend. The sum of £138,000 was provided for the purpose in the Estimate for the financial year ending 31st March, 1946, but it is estimated that an additional sum of £2,500 will be required to meet the expenditure in the current year. The excess is due to the number of recipients of supplementary allowances being greater than had been expected.

Mr. Dillon

What is the criterion by which persons in receipt of Widows' and Orphans' Pensions, contributory and non-contributory, are judged as being eligible for these supplementary allowances? Is the criterion poverty?

Mr. Childers

There is no criterion other than that they live in a rural area.

Mr. Dillon

What is the allowance?

Mr. Childers

1/6 per week.

Mr. Dillon

In addition to the widows' pension?

Mr. Childers

Yes.

Mr. Dillon

Is there any allowance in respect of an orphan?

Mr. Childers

Yes, 1/6. It applies to contributory and non-contributory pensions in rural areas.

Vote put and agreed to.