asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health in what circumstances and in accordance with what statutory order, rule or regulation the appeal of Margaret Murphy, of Coolrainey, Curracloe, County Wexford, against a refusal of the National Health Insurance Society to pay her benefits which she claimed to be entitled to receive, she being unfit and unable to work, was dismissed by him, particularly in view of the fact that two doctors gave sworn testimony bearing out her incapacity at the hearing of her appeal, and no oral medical evidence on oath or otherwise was produced at such hearing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Insurance Benefit Claim (Wexford).
The decision to disallow the appeal was made in accordance with statutory regulations under the National Health Insurance Acts upon consideration of the facts and contentions set out by the appellant in her notice of appeal; of the evidence given at the hearing of the appeal by two doctors on her behalf, including a radiograph and medical report thereon; of the facts and contentions set out by the unified society in the written answers to the notice of the appeal; and of the reports of the medical referees on the case.
Miss Murphy was in service at the time the National Health Insurance Act came into force. She was in constant employment up to the day she was certified by Drs. McCabe and Furlong. Those two doctors attended at the hearing and testified that she was unfit and unable to work. The pension doctor, whoever he may be, did not appear at all. What more can this poor girl do to get what she is entitled to?
She cannot do any more.
What is to happen to her—is she to be left on the wayside? She has been in employment for 37 or 38 years.
The appeal has been decided and there is no further court of appeal.
Surely that is not the sort of thing Fianna Fáil promised when they were seeking power?