asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether he has taken any steps, or proposes to take any steps, to maintain in national health insurance benefit persons whose inability to maintain their payments arises solely out of the emergency position; and if he will make a statement on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Health Insurance Contributions.
When an insured person who is a member of the Unified Society ceases to be employed he remains an insured person and a member of the society for a period of 12 months extended by periods of duly notified incapacity. Legislation would be required to prolong insurance beyond that period, and special extra financial provision would be necessary as there are no funds available in the present scheme of national health insurance to meet benefits during any period of prolonged insurance.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, owing to the emergency, certain people who would naturally get national health insurance payments in respect of current sickness now have to apply to the poor relief authorities for assistance during illness, and will he say whether some arrangement could not be made under the national health insurance scheme similar to that made under the unemployment insurance scheme, to improve the position of contributors to the scheme in such a way that the emergency would not have the effect of driving national health insurance people on to public assistance?
I am not aware that the position could be covered in the manner suggested by the Deputy. I understand that legislation would be necessary, as the financial structure of the National Health Insurance scheme does not permit of meeting the case in the manner suggested. I might say that the position as regards the unemployment figures has not deteriorated within the last 12 months. In January, 1941, the number of registered unemployed was 106,529; in January, 1942, 103,882; in February, 1941, 106, 145, and in February, 1942, 96,836.
It does not mean that they have gone back into insurable employment.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there has been a method under the unemployment insurance system which improves the position and will he say, if no improvement of the national health insurance scheme has taken place, whether that matter will be investigated?
Yes.