asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the amount at present lying to the credit of the National Health Insurance Society.

The estimated sum to credit of the National Health Insurance Society at 31st December last was £4,730,000.

Is it not a disgrace to get up in this House and state that that amount of money is lying to the credit of the National Health Insurance Fund while people all over the Twenty-Six Counties are trying to exist, while ill, on 15/- a week——

That is another matter. The question on the Paper has reference only to the amount to the credit of the National Health Insurance Society.

It is a very important matter.

The Deputy's question was a very stupid one.