asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the National Health Insurance Society has stopped payment for hospital treatment and optical benefits from 1st October, 1945, until 1st January, 1946, and that the failure to pay these benefits has caused much embarrassment to insured persons requiring treatment; and, if so, if he will state the cause of the failure to pay the benefits.

I am aware that the additional benefits mentioned by the Deputy have been suspended by the National Health Insurance Society for some months in the present year. The suspension was due to the exhaustion of the money available for these benefits.

Does that mean that the people who look for hospital benefits or optical benefits from October 1st to December 31st this year will not get any benefits whatsoever, so far as payment from the National Health Insurance Society is concerned? Is that correct?

That is the way it appears to me.

What is happening to the millions of pounds the society has on hands?

Would the Minister give some reason why the society does not give the benefits to the people who have had stamps put on their cards to receive those benefits; and in view of the millions the society has at its disposal, would he say why these people are deprived of the benefits for which they pay?

I have already informed the Deputy that the suspension is due to the exhaustion of the money available.

Can the Minister not make more available out of the millions at the society's disposal?

No.

Why not?

Because the amount of money available for this particular purpose has been fixed by statute.

Why not introduce legislation to increase it?

That is not the question addressed to me.

That is a separate question.