asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the implications of a national hospital service which will result from the abolition of the social welfare income limit.
50.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Income Limits.
49.
asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the full implications of the decision to abolish the £1,600 ceiling for eligibility for social benefits; when it is proposed that it will take effect; whether the hospitals will be able to cope with the increased demands; and how private practitioners' personal incomes will be affected.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I will take Questions Nos. 49 and 50 together.
On Monday, 11th instant, I met representatives of the Irish Medical Association and the Medical Union to discuss the implications for the health services of the abolition of the income limit for social insurance. Following this meeting I intend to ask the Government to consider the matter.
In the meantime, I would not wish to make a detailed statement on this. However, I would point out that, whatever decision is taken about the limit for the health services, as distinct from a limit for social insurance, the numbers actually needing hospital care should not be affected. Neither would a change affect general practitioners' incomes, save possibly to a limited extent as respects maternity and infant care services.
Would the Minister agree that after this question was put down, a statement which purported to be from his Department was made to the effect that the £1,600 limit question is being postponed? I know that the Minister was down in the south-west at the time but could he tell me where this statement originated?
Would the Deputy, with the permission of the Chair, quote the statement?
That is not in order.
It was reported in the newspapers.
Is the Minister aware that at present there is a very long waiting list even for appointments in out-patients' departments and that unless he gears the hospital services to cater for this increased demand that will be made on them a chaotic situation could develop? Is the Minister considering looking into this problem as a matter of urgency, if he is going to abolish the £1,600 limit.
This is the assurance I gave before making up my mind as to whether it would be a mere increase or a total abolition of the limit.
Would the Minister say whether the representatives of the Medical Association and/or the Medical Union asked him to postpone the date of operation?
That seems to be a separate question.
I said in the original reply that I was not prepared to make a detailed statement and want merely to say that I have had discussions with the IMA and the IMU and must consider every aspect of the situation including, as has been alleged, the overcrowding in hospitals before I make a final decision.
Deputy Kitt for a final supplementary question on this matter.
Mr. Kitt
In view of the fact that the Minister says that the health contribution in future will be compulsory for everybody, what will happen those who are already and have been from its inception paying money to the Voluntary Health Insurance Board?
That will be a decision for themselves, but I am informed— and I note a report also in the newspapers to the same effect—that the abolition will not make any substantial change in the number of people continuing in voluntary health insurance.
The Minister did not comment on private practitioner incomes and how these are likely to be affected.
That is certainly a different matter.
I did reply to that.