asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that mental hospital officials are collecting the contributory old age pension which is due to patients in their hospitals; and if he will make a full statement on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensions of Mental Hospital Patients.
41.
I am not so aware. There is no provision such as that contained in the Social Welfare Acts in relation to non-contributory old age pensions for the appropriation by a health authority of a contributory old age pension payable to a patient in a district mental hospital but health authorities are, of course, entitled to take the amount of such pensions into account when determining whether they will make a charge on the person concerned and, if so, the amount of such charge.
Is the Minister aware that some mental hospital authorities are writing to the recipients of old age pensions? For instance, when the wife goes into a mental hospital, they write to the husband and demand that the pension book be sent on forthwith. Will the Minister endeavour to prevent a continuance of that practice?
I was not aware that it was happening. I should like to hear further from the Deputy about it.