asked the Minister for Health if he will state what are the arrangements made by his Department regarding the after-care treatment of tuberculosis.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tuberculosis—After-care Treatment.
Health authorities are required to provide, under their tuberculosis service, domiciliary treatment and medical supervision for tuberculosis patients who may require such treatment or supervision after their discharge from sanatoria. Patients should be visited by the public health or district nurse to encourage them to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their own and their families' health and to attend the local health clinic for periodic examination by the medical officer. Patients who are unable to travel to the clinic should be visited by the medical officer at home. Patients undergoing domiciliary treatment are, where necessary, supplied with vouchers for extra nourishment and with clothing, footwear, beds or bedding. In addition, persons who have to cease work in order to undergo domiciliary treatment, and who thereby incur financial hardship, are paid cash allowances under the Infectious Diseases (Maintenance) Regulations, 1949 and 1949, for their own maintenance and the maintenance of their dependents.
Is the Minister aware that several tuberculosis patients are finding it very hard to get employment? Has the Minister considered, as part of the after-care treatment, the provision of suitable employment for these patients when they leave the sanatoria and return to their homes?
That is a very big question and I do not think it would be possible to go into it in any great detail now, beyond saying that I have recommended to local authorities that, where possible, special consideration should be given to ex-tuberculosis patients for appointment to suitable posts. Beyond that, I would not care to go at this stage.
Mr. Blaney
On the last day the House sat I asked permission to raise Questions Nos. 10, 11 and 12 on the Order Paper on the Adjournment. In order to accommodate the Minister, I did not raise them on Thursday last.
Questions Nos. 10, 11 and 12 on last Thursday's Order Paper on the Adjournment.