asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether county councils have the power to remit the rent of labourers' cottages in cases where the principal breadwinner of the family is suffering from tuberculosis and is receiving treatment in a public institution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Remission of Cottage Rents.
County councils have no power to remit rent in the circumstances mentioned. I would, however, point out to the Deputy that provision is included in the Public Health Bill, 1945, to enable a local authority to make to a person suffering from an infectious disease and undergoing treatment therefor, an allowance towards the maintenance of such persons and his dependents.
I have a cutting from a daily paper from which it appears that a resolution was passed suggesting that county managers should be empowered to remit rents in cases where tenants were suffering from tuberculosis. One of the greatest worries of persons suffering from T.B. is the fact that the rent is owing at a time when they have to depend on national health insurance benefit.
Is the Minister aware that a similar resolution was unanimously adopted by the County Council of Leix a month ago, but I understand that the Minister's Department would not sanction the proposal?
I pointed out to the House that there is no power to do so. I also remind the Deputy that there are proposals before the House which will enable local authorities to make provision for the maintenance of persons suffering from infections disease.