asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he will consider increasing the grant payable to the National Health Insurance Fund so as to enable increased benefits to be paid all round by the society.

The Exchequer contribution towards expenditure on health insurance benefit is regulated by statute. The proposal would, therefore, require legislation. There would also have to be an increase in the rates of insurance contributions payable by employers and employed. No such legislation is under consideration.

I would remind the Deputy that, outside the ambit of health insurance, special grants are being made from the Exchequer for the payment of special assistance to certain classes of persons who are dependent upon assistance from public funds. Included in these classes are persons in receipt of disablement benefit. In urban areas this has been given by way of food vouchers of an average value of 2/6 a week. As from the first of next month persons in areas to which the scheme of food allowances does not apply may receive, through the public assistance authority, an allowance up to 2/6 a week with a further allowance not exceeding 1/6 per week in respect of each dependent child.

Further, persons receiving sickness or disablement benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts, in common with other persons of low incomes, would be eligible to participate in the Government scheme for the provision of cheap fuel in non-turf areas.