asked the Minister for Health whether he will extend the provisions of the Health Act, 1947, to make the benefits applicable in deserving cases to persons under 16 years of age.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Benefits for Young People.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the allowances payable under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1948. Persons between 14 and 16 years of age are eligible for these allowances provided that the statutory conditions are fulfilled and that they were, before becoming incapacitated, either in gainful employment or apprenticed to a trade.
The main purpose of the scheme of allowances is to induce persons suffering from certain infectious diseases to cease employment, to undertake whatever treatment may be necessary, and so, incidentally, to minimise the risk of the spread of infection. Persons, especially those with dependents, are often reluctant to undertake treatment if by doing so they would incur a serious loss of income with resulting privation. Children, however, are usually maintained by their parents or guardians and there is, except in the cases I have mentioned above, no loss of income incurred by reason of their contracting an infectious disease. It should be remembered that treatment is provided free by the health authority and that in necessitous cases clothing and food may also be supplied.