asked the Minister for Health if he will state the cost of abolishing the charge of 10/- per day in respect of hospital treatment for the middle-income group, bearing in mind the savings in administrative costs that would accrue.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Treatment for Middle-Income Group.
As the present maximum rate of charge in respect of institutional services for patients in the middle-income group has been in operation only since 1st September, 1957, any estimate of the annual income from that source must be conjectural. It is estimated very tentatively, however, that the gross loss to public funds which would result from the abolition of charges to persons receiving institutional services under Section 15 of the Health Act, 1953, would be of the order of £200,000.
The saving in administrative costs which would accrue would not be appreciable.