asked the Minister for Health why the weekly allowance payable to tuberculosis patients in County Donegal has been cut by two shillings per week.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Allowance to T.B. Patients.
The rates of allowance specified in the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1952, are maximum rates and the health authorities administering the regulations are entitled to exercise a discretion in determining, subject to the maximum, the rate of allowance payable in any particular case.
In the exercise of that discretion, Donegal County Council recently decided to fix at 5/- per week the allowance payable to certain single persons without dependents who are being treated and fully maintained free of charge in institutions at the council's expense. The council also decided to fix at 5/- per week the allowance payable to a limited number of single persons undergoing treatment at home who are in receipt of National Health Insurance benefit of 24/- per week. The total income of persons in that category is, therefore, 29/- per week, which isthe same as that of single persons without other income who are granted the maximum allowance of 29/- per week under the regulations.
Is the Minister satisfied that the county council were within their rights in reducing the rate payable to these unfortunates by 2/per week?
Will the Minister agree that, in view of the change in money values since that figure was fixed by regulation, no county council could stand over a reduction of this type?
I am all in favour of giving local authorities powers to fix these things for themselves.