asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that a female patient in the tuberculosis ward of the county home, Dundalk, from 25th March, 1949, to 18th June, 1949, applied for an allowance under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1948, and was refused on 24th May; that on inquiring for the reason of the refusal she was sent a circular letter stating that it would not be feasible for the council to enter into correspondence about the reasons which prompted the decision reached by them in any particular case; whether he will state if the issuing of such a circular represents the policy of his Department towards applicants for tuberculosis allowances and has received Departmental approval; whether he will have the circular replaced by a reasonable explanation of decisions taken; further, whether he is aware that the applicant is an orphan, without relatives, dependent on an income of 18/- per week from the National Health Society; whether any allowance has since been awarded to her and whether she has any appeal against the award.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Infectious Diseases Maintenance Allowance.
I understand from the health authority that the lady in question was a patient in the District Hospital, Dundalk, up to the 16th June, when she was discharged. Being single and without dependents the appropriate allowance payable under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1948 and 1949, to her while in hospital was 5/- per week plus 3/9 per week for rent. This allowance, however, was subject to abatement by any other income received, and, as she was understood to be entitled to national health insurance benefit of 18/- per week, her application for an allowance while she was in hospital, was refused. An allowance of 10/9 per week to supplement national health insurance benefit has been paid to her since her discharge from hospital. This allowance has been calculated as follows:—
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
Personal Allowance |
1 |
5 |
0 |
|
Rent Allowance |
0 |
3 |
9 |
|
£1 |
8 |
9 |
|
|
Less National Health Insurance Benefit |
0 |
18 |
0 |
|
£0 |
10 |
9 |
I have seen a copy of the communication sent by the health authority on the 28th May informing her that it would not be feasible to enter into correspondence about the reasons for the decision refusing her application for an allowance. This letter was sent by the health authority on their own responsibility. It is not, in my opinion, the type of communication which should have been issued by an official of a health authority to a member of the public whose servant he is in reply to a legitimate inquiry for information, and I propose suggesting to the health authority, that, in future, when an unsuccessful applicant for an allowance asks to be informed of the reasons for the decision taken, he or she should be furnished with the information.
A person, who is aggrieved with the decision of the health authority on an application for an allowance under the regulations, may appeal to the Minister against such decision.