§ 8. Mr. P. MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the grants made to the Queen's County Insurance Committee for sanatorium benefit for insured persons are inadequate and have been decreasing annually for the past five years; if he is aware that the reduction of the grants has deprived insured persons of benefits to which they were entitled; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter?
§ Mr. DUKEThe returns of expenditure made by county councils in connection with tuberculosis schemes indicate that there is a falling-off in the estimated receipts from the Insurance Committees in respect of the treatment of insured and exempt patients in the current year as compared with last year. The consequent deficit will fall equally on the Exchequer Maintenance Grant and on the local rates. The question of grants for sanatorium benefit can only be dealt with by the National Health Insurance Commission.