asked the Minister for Health whether persons, who are unable to attend to their employment because of quarantine imposed on them by reason of infectious disease affecting some members of their families, are entitled to be paid their normal wages or otherwise to be compensated in respect of loss of income; and, if so, by whom.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quarantine Restrictions.
66.
Under section 44 of the Health Act, 1947, a person who, as a precaution against the spread of a specified infectious disease, refrains from carrying on his ordinary occupation in pursuance of a written order or advice of a chief medical officer, and who, as a result, is unable to provide for the maintenance of himself or his dependants, is eligible for a payment from the local health authority in respect of such maintenance and/or may have the cost of the employment of a substitute defrayed by that authority either in whole or in part.
In determining the amount of the payment to be made in respect of maintenance, health authorities have regard to the essential financial commitments and any existing income (apart from children's allowances) of the person concerned.
Am I right in thinking that the amount paid would not necessarily be commensurate with what a person loses by way of wages or salary?
Mr. O'Malley
The Deputy would be right.
Is the Minister aware that, during a recent outbreak, of a number of employees affected by quarantine regulations the only one who was refused payment of his wages in full was an employee of the Dublin Health Authority and that private employers paid full wages while their workers were out of work?
Mr. O'Malley
The Deputy is making a speech.
Would the Minister care to dwell upon my speech and, on ascertaining, as he will, the accuracy of what I say, take steps to see to it that no Deputy will be provoked to make a speech on another occasion?