asked the Minister for Health if, in relation to Circular No. 52-56 of 27th July, 1956, issued by him to local health authorities, he will state by what authority he has decided that in respect of the financial year 1956-57 the maximum expenditure which may be included in respect of a health service, or part of a health service, in the calculation of the net health expenditure of a health authority, a board of assistance or a mental hospital authority, shall be the recoupable expenditure provided for in the annual estimates for such body for the year 1956-57 as finally adopted by such body; whether he is aware that further increases in the cost of administering certain health services have taken place since the annual estimates were adopted, and that such increased costs were approved of by him, and that if his decision is enforced, all local authorities will be faced with a substantial increase in local rates, and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Services Expenditure.
I would refer the Deputy to sub-section (3) of Section 72 of the Health Act, 1953.
I am unable to accept the implications of the latter part of the question.
Would the Minister agree that in sub-section (3) of Section 72 it is provided that the Minister should make the maximum expenditure order before the rates of such a local authority are adopted? Is the Minister further aware that this sub-section refers to a health service and that, as a result of this Order, the rates throughout the country will go up by about 1/- in the £?
The section referred to is part of the law of the land. It is quite clear: it refers to a health service or part of a health service.
Further arising out of the Minister's reply, does he not think that sub-section (3) of Section 72 suggests that he should have informed the local authority of his intention before the local authority adopted its rates estimate?
That has never been the practice.