asked the Minister for Health (a) State expenditure from all sources—sweep control funds and rates—on tuberculosis services in each of the years 1922, 1932, 1942 and 1962, and (b) this figure expressed as a percentage of national income.
Written Answers. - Expenditure on TB Services.
177.
The compilation of figures on the lines requested in respect of the early years mentioned in the question would involve an amount of work and expense which, it is considered, would not be justified. Moreover, the calculation of comprehensive figures for those years would not be feasible due to the circumstances then prevailing.
The total expenditure on tuberculosis services in respect of the year 1962/63 was £1,986,200 which represents 0.31% of the gross national product for the year. Disability benefit paid under the Social Welfare Acts, 1952 to 1963, to persons suffering from tuberculosis has not been included in the above total, as it is not possible for the Department of Social Welfare to identify from its records payments in respect of disability attributable to specific diseases.