asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1948, patients, in order to qualify for an allowance, must undergo treatment to the satisfaction of the county medical officer; that in parts of South Kerry some persons suffering from tuberculosis are living great distances from the specified treatment centres and as a result of the stringent application of this regulation are debarred from receiving the necessary assistance; and, if so, whether in view of the undue hardship caused to the people concerned he will ensure that they are paid the allowances without having to travel distances which further impair their health.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allowances in Infectious Diseases Cases.
Allowances under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1948, may be paid only to persons to whom Section 44 of the Health Act, 1947, applies. In the case of a person suffering from an infectious disease, the section referred to applies only to those who satisfy certain conditions laid down in the section, including one that he must be undergoing treatment for the disease to the satisfaction of the chief medical officer of the appropriate health authority.
It is inevitable, for geographical and other reasons, that diagnosis and treatment centres for tuberculosis, of which there are 11 in County Kerry, are at a considerable distance from the homes of some persons suffering from the disease but I have no evidence that the county medical officer of health for Kerry is unreasonable in requiring the attendance of patients at such centres or in the administration, so far as he is concerned, of the regulations. If, however, the Deputy will bring to my notice any instance in which he feels that an unreasonable attitude has been adopted, I will look into the matter.