asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that persons insured under the Social Welfare Acts in receipt of weekly payments under the Workmen's Compensation Acts have been charged 70/- a week for hospital and medical treatment under the Health Act, 1953; and whether it is in order for a local authority to make any charge for services rendered in workmen's compensation cases, and, if so, if he will make arrangements to have such workmen's compensation cases treated free of charge to insured persons.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Act: Charges in Workmen's Compensation Cases.
Health authorities are empowered to make available to insured persons institutional services, either free or at a charge not exceeding 10/- a day. In assessing the charge to be made health authorities are obliged to take into consideration the yearly means of the person concerned.
I am not aware that insured persons whose only means are weekly payments under the Workmen's Compensation Acts have been charged 70/- a week for hospital and medical treatment and if the Deputy is aware of any such case and brings it to my notice, I shall be glad to take up the matter with the health authority concerned.
I could not, however, give an unqualified promise to arrange that all persons in receipt of workmen's compensation would automatically receive free treatment as the person concerned or his family could be in receipt of substantial other income.