§ 41. Mr. PATRICK O'BRIENasked the Secretary to the Treasury, adverting to the circular from the National Health Commission (Ireland) on the initiation of insurance committees in July, 1912, stating that a Treasury Grant of £100 for each committee was available for special initial expenses, whether he is aware that the Kilkenny County Insurance Committee, as requested in the said circular, made arrangements of a temporary character only for the first six months, and a further request of the Commission has further deferred making any permanent arrangements as to staff officers, etc., up to the present; whether he is aware that the said committee, on becoming aware that the said Grant was available during six months only, made representations to the said Commission at various times from October, 1912, pointing out the reasonableness of having it available, 545 whenever permanent initiatory arrangements are being made for expenses of a non-recurring character under such arrangements, and that the operativeness of the Grant has been further limited by a circular from the Commission just previous to the end of the half-year on 12th January, 1913, precluding any expenditure incurred during the said half-year being brought into account unless payment actually made before the close of the half-year, in consequence of which an article of office furniture ordered with the express sanction of the Commission, but undelivered at the said date, cannot be brought into account for the purpose of the said Grant; and, seeing that an apparent further limitation has been effected by an Order making the greater proportion of administration expenses, on the amount of which the amount payable under the Grant depended, attributable to sanatorium benefit, and in view of the repeated expressions of inability on the part of the said Commission to so do, will he take the necessary steps to make the Grant available for office furniture and equipment and other reasonable non-recurring expenses, whenever permanent office, etc., arrangements are being made?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Grant referred to was voted for the initial expenses of the insurance committees during the first six months of the Act's operation. It was clearly explained to insurance committees that the Grant was a single one towards the special expenses incurred in bringing the Act into operation, and that after the first half year it would be necessary for them to keep their expenditure within the statutory income. I am, however, prepared to consider how difficulties in connection with any outstanding liabilities incurred during the first six months can best be met.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYShall we have notice of this new Estimate which is going to be passed?
§ Mr. MASTERMANWhich new Estimate?
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYThe right hon. Gentleman said he would consider any proposal to grant further expenses. Shall we have notice when such intention has developed?
§ Mr. MASTERMANCertainly, but I think that this proposal can be met without a new Estimate or any fresh expenditure of public money.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYOut of what money?
§ Mr. MASTERMANOut of the administrative expenses fund.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYHow are these provided for?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThey are provided for already so far as the public part of the contribution is concerned by the Estimate which has been already presented.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYSurely when an Estimate on this subject is submitted it ought merely to take into account such sum as is then required. An Estimate for this new demand has not been submitted.
§ Mr. MASTERMANThere has been money voted for expenses in connection with the administrative work of the National Insurance Commissioners.