asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that during the recent strike of National Health Insurance staff the duties of agent of that company were discharged by home assistance officers, to whom no monetary recompense has so far been made for their services; and, further, if he will take this matter up with the appropriate authority with a view to having suitable remuneration paid to the home assistance officers concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Remuneration to Assistance Officers.
It is not correct to say that the duties of agent of the National Health Insurance Society were performed by home assistance officers during the recent strike of the society's staff. The duties performed by the assistance officers consisted mainly of paying special allowances under the Social Welfare (Substitutive Allowances) Order, 1948, to members of the National Health Insurance Society who were ill and were unable, because of the strike, to obtain sickness or disablement benefit, to which they were entitled.
I am arranging for the payment, through the local assistance authorities, of suitable remuneration to each assistance officer who performed the work in question, and instructions in the matter will be issued to the assistance authorities in the very near future.