This Bill is intended to remedy a technical flaw in the National Health Insurance Act of 1933. The Act of 1933 provided compensation under Section 22 for secretaries of approved societies, for whole-time employees of approved societies, and for part-time employees whose earnings from their societies were their principal means of livelihood. As a result of amendments passed in the Dáil a new section—Section 23—was inserted which provided compensation for part-time officers of approved societies, and for part-time employees whose earnings from their societies were not their principal means of livelihood. Under the rules of societies, however, the secretary is designated as one of the officers, and the phrase "part-time officer" in Section 23 would, therefore, include a part-time secretary. But Section 22 had already made provision for all secretaries whether part-time or whole-time. It, therefore, appears possible under the Act for a part-time secretary to successfully claim compensation as secretary under Section 22, and subsequently establish a claim to compensation as an officer under Section 23. Now the object, and the only object, of this Bill is to ensure that a person will not receive double compensation for the one position.
Public Business. - National Health Insurance Bill 1934—Second Stage.
Question proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."
Question put and agreed to.
Committee Stage ordered for Wednesday, 23rd May, 1934.