asked the Minister for Health if he will state separately the number of persons in each county who are charged from 1/- per day to 10/- per day in respect of hospital services under the Health Act, 1953.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Charges for Hospital Services.
18.
The information requested is not available from the returns and accounts furnished by health authorities to my Department, and its collection would involve a very considerable amount of work and expense which I consider would not be justified.
May I ask the Minister whether in fact the Department takes any interest in the charges made by local authorities to ensure that the charge of 10/- per day is not applied automatically in a very large number of cases? That is supposed to be the maximum charge?
I can give that assurance wholeheartedly to Deputy Norton. We have, in fact, issued a circular to all county managers pointing out that it is quite improper to impose this charge of 10/- automatically. They must make a full investigation into the circumstances of each person concerned.
I am glad the Minister has done one microscopically good act. Would it be possible to see a copy of the circular?
Certainly.