asked the Minister for Health whether in view of the steep increase in the cost to health authorities this year of health services he proposes to include the grant from central funds.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increased Grants to Health Authorities.
7.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to similar questions on 15th and 28th February, 1962.
Does that mean "no"?
Oh, no. It was not no; it was just that at the moment the matter would be under consideration by the Select Committee.
I do not see how the Select Committee can decide whether there is to be an increase in the Health Grant.
Perhaps I had better refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Deputy Michael Donnellan in the House on 15th February last:
As announced by the Taoiseach in June, 1961, a general review of local finance is being undertaken in conjunction with the Economic Research Institute. Furthermore, one item in the terms of reference of the Select Committee of this House on the Health Services, which is due to be constituted in the near future.
—the Committee has, of course, been constituted— is:
"to examine the existing arrangements for meeting the cost of the services and alternative arrangements which might be adopted for meeting such costs".
With respect, it does not appear to me that that is a very satisfactory reply to the question I asked. I ask the Minister "whether in view of the steep increase in the cost to health authorities this year of health services he proposes to increase the grant from central funds". It is surely possible for the Minister to reply negatively or affirmatively.
I do not think so. I think this question is at the moment an open one. When the Government receive the Report of the Select Committee with the arguments for and against the recommendation, then we can consider this question. As far as I can see at the moment, the situation is reasonably satisfactory.
Is it the position that the Select Committee has been established to provide an umbrella for the Minister for Health?
Not at all.
It is not possible to give a reply to that question?
Now, now.
If the costs to health authorities are increased, will there not be a corresponding increase from the Minister for Health?
Of course, there will.
That will be 50 per cent. I am anxious to know whether the Minister is prepared this year to provide a greater proportion than 50 per cent. by way of grant-in-aid to health authorities?
I do not see that this House or a Minister behaving as a responsible person would be justified in anticipating the Report of the Select Committee, which, the Deputy will remember, was set up after a discussion on his own motion.
Will the Tánaiste tell us the date on which the Select Committee is to hold its first meeting? I think it is 15th May or thereabouts. Is the Tánaiste, after all these years, not yet aware that by that date most local authorities will have struck their rates and certainly within a week afterwards every local authority will have struck its rate, and it will then therefore be too late?
Surely the House and the Government decide these matters on a long term-basis? It is not just merely to give temporary relief.
We are talking of 1962/63.
That is the trouble about the Opposition; they always take a short view.
Quite obviously, the Minister's pocket is pretty short at the moment.