asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will extend the scheme of additional benefits of the National Health Insurance Society to provide that, where accommodation cannot be found in hospitals approved by the scheme, a member may receive payment towards expenses incurred by him while a patient in a hospital which is not an approved hospital under the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Expenses.
The matter to which the Deputy refers is at present being considered in connection with the new additional benefits scheme which is due to come into operation on the 1st April next and I am hopeful that it will be possible to make a contribution to the insured person in the circumstances mentioned.
I should point out to the Deputy that the National Health Insurance Society ceased to exist in 1950.
Would the Minister not consider making the date of application retrospective?
I do not think that could be done. The new scheme comes in on April 1st.
And it definitely provides for this sort of thing?
I am considering if that is possible.