asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the general confusion that prevails among the public with regard to the benefits and services available under the Health Act, 1953, he will request each health authority to publish in the provincial newspapers in circulation in the respective health districts the information contained in the explanatory leaflets, "Health Services for Mothers and Infants" and "Hospital and Specialist Services".
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Publication of Health Leaflets.
The measures to be taken to make known the services available under the Health Acts in each health authority area and the precise local arrangements in regard to such services are a matter for the health authority concerned.
The publication in provincial newspapers of the information contained in the leaflets in question, which were circulated by my Department last year, would, in view of their length, be rather costly. I consider, however, that if copies of the leaflets were made available by health authorities in the manner advised by my Department (e.g. at dispensaries, clinics, outpatients departments, etc. and to members of the medical profession) a very useful purpose would be served.
I should like to point out to the Minister that copies of these leaflets have been made available in large numbers in the last couple of years, but the method of circulation is not sufficiently satisfactory to bring the contents of the leaflets in question to the notice of all concerned. In view of this position I had hoped that the Minister might still see his way——
The Deputy is not asking a supplementary question.
—— to incur the expenditure of having the leaflet published in the local papers.
I should just like to answer that question because it is rather important. We are very anxious that full information regarding the health services available under local authorities should be given to the general public, to those who are entitled to avail of these services, but we must have regard to the efficiency —having regard to cost—of the manner in which that information will be conveyed to the general public. I feel certain that it would not be possible by means of one insertion only of the requisite advertisement in the local Press to do that, and therefore it would be necessary for us to insert advertisements at recurring intervals. I am afraid that would be very expensive. I also think there is no greater guarantee that the advertisements would be read than there is that the leaflets as circulated at present would be read.