asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that although there have been two increases in the old age pension, in October, 1975, and in April, 1976, the patients in St. Joseph's Hospital, Trim, County Meath, have not received either of them in their allowance; and if he will instruct the North Eastern Health Board to give the normal increases which have been granted in the pension.

I am informed that persons maintained in St. Joseph's Geriatric Home, County Meath, are allowed to keep £3 a week from their old age pensions for personal spending. The balance is retained by the health board as a contribution towards the cost of their maintenance. This seems a reasonable allowance and I do not intend to take any action in the matter.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if the figure of £3 is uniform in all the health board areas and, also if, when there is an increase in the rate of pension, the figure for personal spending is increased also? I raise the question bearing in mind that there are some geriatric patients who would not have any need for £3 spending money while there are others to whom £3 would be of little use—those who are well enough to leave geriatric or psychiatric homes to go into the nearby town. From a medical point of view it might be unwise to allow certain persons this amount of spending money but I am concerned with those who are reasonably well.

As the question refers to a particular hospital I cannot allow an extension of it.

Briefly, I can tell the Deputy that the figure of £3 is not uniform and that I, too, am of the opinion that some uniformity might be desirable.