asked the Minister for Health if he will state the conditions of payment of tuberculosis allowances by local authorities, and the manner in which such payments are made.
Written Answers. - Tuberculosis Allowances.
The statutory conditions governing the payment of an allowance under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1952, to a person suffering from tuberculosis or other specified infectious disease are laid down in Section 44 of the Health Act, 1947, as amended by Section 36 of the Health Act, 1953. The statutory conditions are that the person:—
(a) is suffering from an infectious disease or a disease suspected to be an infectious disease by the chief medical officer of the health authority in whose functional area such person ordinarily resides, and
(b) is undergoing treatment therefor to the satisfaction of the chief medical officer of the health authority in whose functional area such person ordinarily resides, and
(c) is thereby prevented from making reasonable and proper provision for his own maintenance or the maintenance of his dependents.
The rates of allowances specified in the Regulations are maximum rates and in determining the rate of allowance payable to an applicant health authorities have regard to the means of the applicant and of his family.
Allowances granted are, I understand, paid mainly by Paying Order, each week. Dublin Corporation, however, mostly pays recipients, or persons authorised by the recipients, in cash each week but in some cases the Corporation pays by means of Paying Order when so requested by recipients.