asked the Minister for Health whether there is a maximum age limit for an allowance under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1952; and if he will state the circumstances under which allowances under these Regulations are granted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Infectious Diseases Maintenance Regulations.
There is no maximum age limit prescribed for applicants for allowances under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1952.
The conditions for the grant of an allowance are prescribed in Section 44 of the Health Act, 1947, as amended by Section 36 of the Health Act, 1953. Under these conditions an allowance is payable to a person who:—
(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 dependants.
There is also provision for the payment of an allowance to a person who, being a probable source of infection, is unable to continue to earn his livelihood as a result of having to take precautions in relation to such infection on the written advice of a chief medical officer.