asked the Minister for Health if in order to relieve the ratepayers of some of the already heavy burden of rates, he will introduce legislation to provide that health charges now borne by local authorities will become a national charge.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Charges Borne by Local Authorities.
5.
As the Deputy will be aware, the immediate administration of services under the Health Acts is vested in the local authorities who operate the services for their own functional areas, and under existing legislation these authorities are required to bear half the burden of revenue expenditure in respect of these services. If these authorities were to be relieved of all responsibility for meeting the cost of the services, it would be impracticable to let them retain their present responsibilities and functions in regard to administration. The proposal which is adverted to in the Deputy's question could only be considered in conjunction with measures designed to centralise health administration in such a way that the authority which would be called upon to meet the entire cost of the services would also carry the appropriate responsibility.
Assuming that a measure were to be introduced to this end, it is not apparent that any real benefit of a financial nature would be gained. If these services continued at their present level, their cost would still have to be met by the public at large. The only financial effect of the measure would, therefore, be to alter the method of raising the necessary moneys; and it is not to be assumed that any such alteration would necessarily result in a substantial shift in the incidence of charge upon the various sections of the community.
The only way in which a general reduction in the burden of health services could be achieved is by a reduction in the extent of services made available. This, as the Deputy must be aware, would affect most adversely the area which he represents. The proposal adverted to in the question is, therefore, one which would not, I feel, serve any useful or necessary purpose in existing circumstances and I am not prepared to sponsor legislation as suggested.
Would the Minister say whether or not there is any maximum to the 50 per cent. of the cost of the health services contributed by his Department and the State?
None.
When the Minister in his reply refers to local authorities is he referring to the elected representatives of the local authority or the manager?
I am referring to the local authorities as at present constituted under the laws of the Oireachtas.
I specifically asked the Minister if, when he is referring to the administration of the Health Acts, he is referring to the county managers or to the elected representatives. Is he not aware that the local authorities, as interpreted by the general public, namely, the elected representatives, have little or no say or function in the administration of the Health Acts?