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MIONTUAIRISC NA FINNEACHTA(Minutes of Evidence)Déardaoin, 23ú Feabhra, 1950.Thursday, 23rd February 1950.The Committee sat at 11 a.m.
Mr. W. E. Wann (An tArd-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste), and Mr. M. Breathnach (An Roinn Airgeadais), called and examined.VOTE 42—GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE.Mr. P. Kennedy called and examined.985. Chairman.—There are no notes on these two Votes, for which Mr. Kennedy is responsible. With regard to subhead E.—Appropriations in Aid—do you charge the same fee to all types of applicants for birth certificates? Is there not a reduced fee in some circumstances?—There are some categories who get certificates at reduced fees. Certain certificates in relation to Widows’ and Orphans’ Pensions and matters of that kind are dealt with specially. I could not give the Committee an exhaustive list, right off, of the various categories. 986. I suppose, on the whole, it is a good sign to see so many people looking for certificates?—The demand has fallen off in the last year or two. It was increasing for a number of years but it is going down now. 987. Do you find it difficult to keep the publications of the Registrar-General up to date?—The 1948 report is with the printers at the moment. Is that for the calendar year 1948?— Yes. The printing of that type of report is very slow in view of the large amount of statistical material involved. VOTE 71—HEALTH.Mr. P. Kennedy further examined.988. Chairman.—A Supplementary Estimate covers subheads E., J.1., J.3., J.4. and M. This Supplementary Estimate was for a sum of £29,000; savings, £2,000; net, £27,000. On subhead F.—Statutory Inquiries—will you tell us what statutory inquiries would cover?—Mostly complaints about the manner in which local authority officers have been discharging their duties. For instance, we might receive complaints in regard to the failure of a Dispensary Doctor to attend a patient when called on to do so or in regard to the manner in which a patient was treated when admitted to hospital. The decision as to whether or not an inquiry should be held depends on the nature of the complaint and the manner in which it is substantiated. If there is prima facie evidence to justify an inquiry, the Minister would have an inquiry. 989. Subhead G.4. relates to expenses in connection with a Survey of Human Nutrition. What is the present position? —The expenditure in connection with that subhead is finished now and the reports are being published according as they are ready. One was published recently and there are one or two more due to come along shortly. 990. I notice under subhead H.2.— Grants for the Supply of Milk to Necessitous Children—that the amount was less than granted. The note says that some local authorities were unable to obtain full supplies of milk and others restricted their expenditure to a lower figure than would have enabled them to receive their full allocation from the grant. Can you give us any further information?—I think milk was scarce in certain areas in that year and that some of the authorities were not able to obtain full supplies. 991. On subhead I.—Medical Treatment, etc., of School Children—what is the position in regard to expenditure here? Is it by way of contribution to the total or do you pay the entire expenses? —There was a 50 per cent. grant in that year. The whole basis for payment of grants in respect of expenditure on health services has been changed since this account was prepared. It is on a new basis now. 992. Half for both medical and dental, is that so?—Yes. 993. Deputy Sheldon.—On subhead J.2. —Research on the Chemotherapy of Tuberculosis (Grant-in-Aid)—what was the source of the income to the Chemotherapy, because it is mentioned that the full Vote was not needed?—It was transferred to the Hospitals Trust Fund in the course of that year. The change took place before the end of the year and therefore, the full amount provided in the Vote was not required. 994. Chairman.—Does the Hospitals Trust Fund contribute to any of your subheads, Mr. Kennedy?—No. It has nothing to do with the Vote then?—Nothing. Of course, it might be argued that it relieves the Vote of some expenditure which might otherwise be charged to public funds. 995. Deputy Sheldon.—Arising out of subhead J.4., has it been possible to do anything about the Blood Transfusion Service?—Yes. A company has been set up and they have acquired premises and engaged staff. I understand that they will be starting operations very shortly and they are preparing a publicity campaign. They are getting a Grant-in-Aid out of the current year’s Vote. 996. Chairman.—In regard to subhead K.—Treatment of Venereal Diseases—in how many areas is this scheme in operation, or has it to be brought into operation compulsorily?—It is a matter for the local authorities to bring the scheme into operation. We urge them as far as we can to start a scheme but where they refuse to do so, we have no power to force them. 997. Can you tell the Committee what areas have provided schemes this year?— Every county except two or three have a scheme in operation. In the particular year to which these accounts refer, it was in operation in 18 counties and four county boroughs. Other counties have adopted it since. We are not quite satisfied yet and we are endeavouring to have it applied in a more intensive form. 998. In regard to subhead L.—Hospital of St. Margaret of Cortona—is this the only centre in which treatment is provided? It is a special institution, of course, but is similar treatment given in other cases?—This was a separate institution which operated under an old Act or Charter. Treatment is also provided in certain of the Dublin hospitals and in the county hospitals. 999. Deputy Mrs. Crowley.—In regard to subhead M.—Grants in respect of training of native Irish speakers in Hospital Nursing—are candidates recruited at present under this scheme?— Yes, the scheme is in operation. We have recently sent out a big number of circulars relating to the scheme to Gaeltacht areas, to T.D.s, County Managers, and so on. 1000. Chairman.—Would not the schools be the best medium?—We sent them to the School Managers also. 1001. In regard to subhead N.—Appropriations in Aid—it appears that one item refers to costs payable by local authorities in relation to Inquiries?—Yes, that is mainly the expenses of the Inspector holding the inquiry and of a shorthand writer if one is employed. 1002. Deputy Sheldon.—This is a reflection of subhead F. They have to pay their costs?—Yes. 1003. Deputy Davern.—In connection with subhead H.2.—Grants for the Supply of Milk to Necessitous Children—would it be possible to ascertain the areas in which children were deprived of this free milk? 1004. Chairman.—Mr. Kennedy has mentioned that milk was probably in short supply that year but perhaps he could let the Committee have this information? —The sum is made up of unexpended balances in different areas. It is an accumulation of several balances. It does not represent one particular area. Deputy Davern.—It seems that some local authorities restricted the expenditure. That is a pity. 1005. Chairman.—Would it be possible to have a list of the local authorities concerned?—I am sure we shall be able to get such a list. Perhaps you could send it to us.* 1006. Deputy Davern.—I understand the scheme is administered through the Home Assistance Officers?—Yes. Chairman.—It is entirely in the hands of the Home Assistance Officers?—Oh, no. The County Medical Officers of Health advise on the question of eligibility but the day-to-day administration is in the hands of the Home Assistance Officers. It is not associated with the schools, for example?—Not primarily. 1007. The individual recipient has to collect the milk at a centre?—In a number of cases the contractors deliver the milk to the people who are eligible for it. 1008. I see under the heading of “Extra Remuneration” a reference to a non-pensionable allowance for architectural services?—That is out of the Hospitals Trust Fund. 1009. Is the Chief Architectural adviser entirely responsible? I presume that he has a staff. Is it under the supervision of whatever architects may be preparing the plans for you?—That is correct, but this applies only in respect of work undertaken directly by the Department, that is the regional sanatoria. A special staff is employed for this work and the Chief Architectural Adviser receives extra remuneration for it because it is outside the ordinary scope of the duties which he might be expected to undertake. He prepares the plan?—Yes, all the technical work is in his hands. 1010. We had a question in the Dáil by Deputy Mrs. Crowley in reference to plans for local hospitals. I suppose it would be difficult to have them standardised?—One of our great difficulties at times is to get local authorities to accept the sort of plan we would like them to accept. We do not force them. Sometimes they are supplied with what the Department would regard as an ideal plan, but it is left to the local authority to decide within limits what they will accept. 1011. Deputy Sheldon.—In respect of the regional sanatoria, is a consultant architect employed as well?—No, the work is done by the Chief Architectural Adviser to the Department and a special staff. The staff are paid out of the Hospitals Trust Fund and the Chief Architectural Adviser receives an allowance from the same source. 1012. You think there is a saving under that arrangement?—I believe the matter was gone into at the time and it was felt that it was the most desirable way of dealing with it. The Acts under which sanatoria are being constructed provide for the work being carried out by the Minister for Local Government and Public Health as he was at that time. He has now been replaced by the Minister for Health. 1013. Deputy Sheldon.—There would certainly be a saving in time?—And in fees. The witness withdrew. The Committee adjourned at 11.40 a.m. *See Appendix XXVI. |
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