asked the Minister for Health what is the life expectancy for itinerant people in this country; and if he will give details of the infant mortality rate among itinerants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Life Expectancy of Itinerants.
16.
Life expectancy statistics for itinerants are not available. The Commission on Itinerancy, which reported to the Taoiseach in 1963, commented on the age structure of itinerants and the progressive reduction in the number of itinerants in the higher age groups. The commission did not find an acceptable explanation for this reduction and commented that a commission appointed by the Netherlands Government noted a similar disparity but could not find an entirely satisfactory explanation for it.
Infant mortality rates among itinerants specifically are not recorded in the statistics collected annually and published in the report on vital statistics.
In regard to infant mortality the Commission on Itinerancy, to which I have referred, made calculations based to some extent on interviews with itinerant families. Their comments are recorded in paragraphs 26 to 28 of their report.
Does the Minister not know this is nearly 20 times as bad as it is in Biafra?
Would the Minister dispute the fact that the mortality rate for itinerants in 1960 was that seven per cent of children born did not live beyond one month, 15 per cent did not live beyond one year and that one out of 30 died before they were 60 years of age?
I would expect living conditions of itinerants would result in higher mortality rates than among other sections of the community. As the Deputy knows, the Minister for Local Government has introduced measures which should enable the position of itinerants to be improved. The Deputy also knows the difficulties in regard to that matter.
It is as bad as it was in the time of Marie Antoinette.
I find it difficult to understand that the Minister can state that his Department have no statistics dealing with the mortality rate of itinerants although an Irish magazine can publish what I accept are authentic statistics with regard to the mortality rate of itinerants. Would the Minister explain that?
I would not accept that statements in Irish magazines are necessarily correct. So far as I know there have been no complaints in this House about the application of the health services to itinerants. The services are available to them in the same way as they are available to other sections of the population. As regards improvements in their conditions, that is a matter for the local authorities in general. The Deputy knows what the Minister for Local Government has done to make the settlement of itinerants possible and he also knows the difficulties which have been found in bringing that about.
Question No. 17.
Is there any difficulty put in the way of itinerants receiving medical cards?
Not as far as I am aware. I have not had any complaints in regard to that matter. If any Deputy knows of a situation which could arise whereby proper health services would not be made available to itinerants I should be very glad to hear about it and I would communicate with the local authority.
May I ask the Minister if an itinerant is granted a medical card which would be applicable in any county? Is that available to an itinerant?
That is a separate question.
It is an important question.
It is a separate question. This question does not deal with medical cards but with life expectancy and the mortality rate among itinerants.
It is a separate question. The Deputy can put down a question on this next week. He need not be so angry about it.