asked the Minister for Health if he will state (1) whether it is proposed to withdraw the grant heretofore payable from the Hospitals Trust Fund to the National B.C.G. Committee, and, if so, if this committee is to be wound up, and (2) if it is proposed to continue the B.C.G. scheme from what source it is to be financed in the future' and what arrangements he has made for a continuing service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - B.C.G. Scheme.
asked the Minister for Health if he has any information as to whether the dismissal notice sent out by the B.C.G. Committee to its employees has been or is to be withdrawn, and whether provision is being made for the continuation and extension of the B.C.G. scheme.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together.
There is no question of winding up the National B.C.G. Committee or of limiting the work of B.C.G. vaccination, or of reducing the staff engaged on the work.
Certain local authorities, additional to the five which operate their own scheme, are about to take over direct responsibility for B.C.G. in their areas with the idea of integrating vaccinations more closely with their own T.B. schemes in an all-out drive against the disease, and because of that and of the stage reached in the development of the scheme, I have submitted certain proposals to the National B.C.G. Committee. These proposals are at present being considered by the committee and in that connection the following is a statement which is being issued on behalf of the committee:—
"The National B.C.G. Committee, at their monthly meeting on April 13th, considered recent Press announcements regarding its future.
The Committee regrets that matters under discussion between the Department of Health and the Committee should have received premature newspaper publicity.
The committee wishes to make it clear that none of its members was responsible and feel sure that nothing but harm to the B.C.G. campaign can result from announcements of this kind."
The National B.C.G. Committee regulates its own procedure for the engagement and dismissal of staff. I understand that certain of the staff have been advised that they should seek alternative employment, but, so far as I am aware, no dismissal notices have been issued.
The Minister has not stated whether he is withdrawing the central grant or not.
What is that?
The grant from the Central Fund—is it being withdrawn?
No, it is not.
Can the Minister state when this committee is going to be wound up?
Pardon?
He stated that some of the committees have been advised that they are under notice.
No. The committee have been advised that the local authorities are taking over part of the work themselves and the committee should do the work for them and be paid for the work. Deputies appear to believe everything they read in a certain paper. It is an absolute pack of lies, the whole lot.
The Irish Press you are talking about.