asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that local authorities for which he is the responsible Minister have refused to pay any medical expenses under section 73 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1934, unless the injured workmen instituted legal proceedings and secured a court order; and that the local authorities have justified their actions on account of instructions from Local Government Auditors; and whether with a view to obviating the need for expensive legal proceedings in order that medical expenses up to £5 may be paid, he will permit local authorities to pay such expenses out of Court.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Workmen's Compensation Act, 1934: Medical Expenses.
19.
I am not aware of the position referred to in the Deputy's question. Local Government auditors are not empowered to issue instructions to local authorities as to what payments may be made and I am not aware that any instructions of the nature referred to by the Deputy have been given by the auditors to health, public assistance, or mental hospital authorities. With regard to the final part of the question I do not exercise any functions which would enable me to refuse or grant permission of the kind referred to.
In view of the fact that the Local Government auditor holds this instruction over the heads of the Local Authority will the Minister have the matter investigated?
I understand that the auditor has never issued any such instructions.
Is the Minister aware that this thing acts as a boomerang in so far as the saving of money by the local authorities is concerned? When local authorities refuse to pay this money the workmen, or their legal advisers, take proceedings in the courts and the local authorities are then mulcted for costs which could have been avoided. May I ask if the Minister would give consideration to the question of increasing the £5?
That is a separate question.