asked the Minister for Health if he will state the overall estimated cost of operation to date of the Health Act, 1953, borne by (a) the Central Fund and (b) the local authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Act, 1953.
Accounts are not kept separately in regard to expenditure under the Health Act, 1953, and, consequently, it is not possible to supply the information requested by the Deputy. Under the Health Services (Financial Provisions) Act, 1947, the Exchequer bears half the net cost of all services provided under the 1953 Act and other health legislation.
The Deputy will appreciate that the 1953 Act, in addition to providing for services for persons who were not previously entitled to such services, provided a revised statutory basis for services previously provided for under other legislative codes. Examples of such services are the dispensary service, hospital and specialist services for the former public assistance group, boarding-out of children, maintenance of poor persons in county homes, the school health examination service and supply of milk for expectant and nursing mothers.
I understood the Minister to say he could not give the amount, that it would be very hard to give a definite amount. Could he not give an approximate idea of what the Health Act of 1953 is costing the country?
I do not think so. I do not think it would be possible to make an estimate and relate it to the 1953 Act, for the reasons set out very fully in the reply.
I appreciate the Minister's reply, but could he give an indication of what the health services are actually costing the country at the moment?
According to the Estimates, which are considered by Dáil Eireann, my Department costs £8,000,000. It can be taken that the local health authorities are providing an equivalent amount.
Would the Minister state whether the estimate of his predecessor, Deputy Dr. Ryan, now Minister for Finance, that the consequences of the working of the Health Act would be an impact of 2/- in the £ on the rates, was an overestimation, an underestimation, or, in fact, the present cost?
I would require notice of that question. I do not answer rashly.
The Minister is coming rather late.
We congratulate the Minister for Health on his change. It is a belated conversion.