asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the balance standing to the credit of the National Health Insurance Society on 31st December in each of the years from 1935 to 1945; and the amount of money spent, in each of these years, in respect of additional benefits.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Health Insurance Society's Finances.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
|
Year |
Balance standing to the credit of the National Health Insurance Society at 31st December |
Amount expended on Additional Benefits (including cost of administration) |
|
£ |
£ |
|
|
1935 |
2,884,379 |
27,795 |
|
1936 |
2,990,624 |
29,791 |
|
1937 |
3,192,872 |
8,374 |
|
1938 |
3,409,332 |
412 |
|
1939 |
3,596,393 |
20 |
|
1940 |
3,815,746 |
— |
|
1941 |
4,025,800 |
— |
|
1942 |
4,291,919 |
597 |
|
1943 |
4,443,856 |
195,253 |
|
1944 |
4,584,021 |
194,672 |
|
1945 |
4,750,625* |
191,660* |
* Provisional figures—final figures not yet available.
Would the Minister mind quoting the figure for the last year?
The last year for which I have figures available is 1945 when the balance standing to the credit of the National Health Insurance Society at the 31st December was £4,750,625. These are provisional figures and not final figures.
In view of that fact, would the Minister give sympathetic consideration to the question of reinstituting the scheme for the provision of additional benefits before January next? I understand that the funds at the disposal of the society for that purpose have been expended, and that, therefore, they cannot make these benefits available until further moneys are made available to the society.
We are limited, by the terms of the Act of the Oireachtas, to the figure which was recommended to us by the actuary in his report, and we cannot depart from that. When, in due course, we have a fresh actuarial investigation of the finances of the society, the question as to what provision can be made for additional benefits will be considered, and the amount available will be increased or reduced in accordance with the terms of the actuary's report.
Does not the Minister appreciate, however, that with a sum of over £4,000,000 to credit it does not seem to make sense that people should be looking for optical, dental and other treatment which they cannot get and will not get until new moneys are made available? Will the Minister favourably consider the desirability of introducing an amending Bill so as to make these benefits available? You do not cure dental or optical defects simply by waiting until money is made available. There should be no trouble in making these benefits continuously available so long as there are substantial assets to the credit of the society.
The Minister appreciates the fable of the mouse and the cheese. When the mouse had consumed it all there was nothing to provide for eventualities so that starvation came upon it. In this case, these additional benefits are made available by reason of the income which is derived from the society's investments. If we eat into that capital reserve, the ultimate result will be that additional benefits will have to be discontinued.
And the nation's health will go down, accordingly
Where did the mouse get the cheese?
The Deputy had better ask the mouse.