asked the Minister for Health if he will consider introducing legislation to transfer health charges from rates to the Central Fund.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Transfer of Health Charges.
101.
Such legislation is not being considered. I would draw the Deputy's attention to my reply to similar questions on 31st October last.
Does the Minister recall that the Minister for Health in 1965 promised local authorities that he would stabilise the health charges? Is he prepared to give the same promise now to all health authorities as he gave to the Dublin Health Authority? Does he appreciate that increases in rates will be of the order of 10/- in the £ in the coming financial year? In our case it will be 9/3d.
In regard to the Deputy's first supplementary, the 1965 situation was expressed to be in respect of that year.
We were not told that during the election of that year. We were told it would apply from that time onwards. Dr. Ryan promised us, as members of a deputation, that the health charges could not be more than 2/- in the £.
He was right for the time. In regard to the Deputy's second supplementary, I can repeat that promise——
That you will stabilise the charges?
That he will have a chat with the Minister for Finance.
That is the undertaking. I am having discussions with the Minister for Finance.
It will depend on whether there is a general election shortly or in a year's time.
On the Deputy's further question, I appreciate that the burden on the rates is very consideable and that in the absence of some relief from the Department of Finance the rates might increase by even more than 10/- in the £ in certain health authority areas.
Will the Minister point out to the Minister for Finance that if, we give an increase of £6 a week to a doctor, the local authority contribute £3 and the central authority £3, but the central authority get back 42/6d by way of income tax? Therefore, though the local authority are contributing the full £3, the central authority contribute only 17/6. Will the Minister tell that to the Minister for Finance?
I will read out everything Deputy L'Estrange has said and I will wave it at him.