asked the Minister for Health whether, in view of the recent statements by the chairman of the National Mass Radiography Association that incidence of tuberculosis in the middle age-group was increasing, his Department has any new plans to encourage members of this age-group to avail themselves more frequently of the mass radiography service; and, if so, whether he will give details of any such plans.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mass Radiography Service.
2.
While the over-all number of cases of tuberculosis diagnosed each year shows a considerable reduction over the past twenty years or so, this trend is much less marked in persons in the age-group over 45 years, which now contains a higher proportion of cases of the disease than in former years.
Every effort, short of compulsion, is made at central and local levels to encourage all adults to come forward for X-ray examination which is made readily available at convenient centres throughout the country at frequent intervals by means of the mobile units of the National Mass Radiography Association. In view of the change in the incidence of the disease, this publicity is to a large extent aimed at the older age-group. These efforts in the past were directed to the public in general but in recent times, in the various publicity media utilised, increasing emphasis has been placed on the need for the older age groups to come forward.
Has the Minister, as an encouragement to these people, considered increasing the infectious diseases maintenance allowance which, as the Minister must be aware, is fairly low at the present time?
It is not by any standard low but, in any event, the Deputy's supplementary should be put as a separate question.
It certainly would be part of the encouragement for these people to go forward.