asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that great hardship is caused to people suffering from tuberculosis, who are tenants of Cork Corporation houses situated outside the borough, due to the fact that tuberculosis benefits outside the borough are much lower than those prevailing inside; and whether, in view of the fact that the corporation have given those people priority in housing, he will extend the city benefits to tenants of all corporation houses outside the borough as has already been done for recipients of unemployment assistance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tuberculosis Benefits in Cork.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the cash allowances payable under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1948, to persons suffering from tuberculosis.
On framing these regulations, it was decided to fix slightly higher rates of allowance in the case of beneficiaries resident in the four county boroughs in recognition of the fact that the cost of living generally is somewhat higher in these areas than elsewhere in the country. As the disparity between the rates of allowance payable in county boroughs and those payable elsewhere is slight and as health authorities have discretion as to the extent to which maintenance allowances should be abated in respect of income from other sources, there should be no hardship in the type of case mentioned by the Deputy. If, however, he is aware of any specific case in which there appears to be any hardship in the circumstances he describes, I shall be glad if he will bring it to my notice.