asked the Minister for Health if he has had an examination made of the percentage of hospital beds occupied by persons injured in road traffic accidents; if so, with what result; and, if not, if he will have such an examination made with a view to requiring the insurance companies concerned to pay the cost of hospitalisation to the relief of ratepayers, taxpayers and injured persons.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospitalisation of Road Accident Cases.
31.
No statistical examination has been made of the number of hospital beds occupied at any time by persons injured in road traffic accidents but sufficient relevant information is already available to enable me to reach a decision on the issue mentioned by the Deputy. I am considering whether, in the regulations under the Health Bill, there should be included a provision whereby the cost of treatment for persons eligible in the ordinary way for services should be recoverable from insurers where hospitalisation follows a road accident.
If the Minister has not had a census taken of the number of persons in hospital because of injuries sustained in road accidents can he say what is the information upon which he is now considering making the regulation? Is it on the information contained in reports of the Garda Síochána or of the Department of Local Government in relation to injuries sustained in road accidents, or on what is it?
To a considerable extent it is. Out of a total of 9,716 persons injured in 1968, 5,000 were hospitalised. We know the total number of persons in hospital. The Deputy can discuss this on section 69 (2) of the Health Bill.
I did already.