asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that recipients of benefits under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1948, suffering from tuberculosis have been unable to secure dental and ophthalmic treatment from the Cork County Council due to the delay in arranging a suitable scheme for them, and that persons needing spectacles are waiting for months for them; and, if so, whether he will take steps to ensure that this position will be remedied with the least possible delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dental and Ophthalmic Treatment (Cork).
I presume the Deputy is referring to all persons on the tuberculosis register of the Cork County Council and not merely to those who are in receipt of benefits under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1948 and 1949.
I have received no complaints regarding the matters to which the Deputy refers in his question, but I have asked the Cork County Council to submit to me an up-to-date report on the services provided by them under the two heads, with an indication of the cause of delays in any cases of which they may be aware.
Is the Minister aware that patients in sanatoria belonging to the Cork County Council have been waiting three and four months, in some cases, for spectacles? Is the Minister further aware that discussions are going on between the health authority, the National Health Insurance and other bodies as to who is responsible for the payments? Would the Minister instruct these people to provide the spectacles and to discuss afterwards who will pay for them?
I am not aware that there has been any difficulty, as suggested by the Deputy. Upon receipt of the Deputy's question, the Department of Health wrote immediately to the county council to ascertain whether they had received any complaints. As far as I am aware, no complaints have been received in the Department. I can assure the Deputy that if the facts are as stated, steps will be taken rapidly to remedy the position.
Could the Minister procure no speedier way of communicating with people than by writing? Has he not a telephone in the Department of Health?
Is the Minister aware that members of Deputy McGrath's Party are most anxious that this proposed scheme be put in abeyance?
Now we know.
That is not so. I am not a bit interested in Party politics as far as this is concerned, if Deputy Desmond is. It shows his small mind.