asked the Minister for Health if a means test has been introduced in order to qualify for an allowance under the Infectious Diseases Act; when this regulation came into operation; and if he considers it helpful in the context of the eradication of such diseases.

A means test has applied to the infectious diseases maintenance allowance since the allowance was introduced in 1948. There has been no change in this position. I am satisfied that payment of this allowance is helpful in the eradication of infectious diseases.

Is the Minister aware that in the Eastern Health Board area a particular applicant who suffers from TB, an infectious disease, is still waiting for the health board to establish his eligibility for such an allowance? He is a farmer who has had to sell off his stock and is precluded from carrying out his usual farm chores. Is the Minister aware that the health board investigation requires that his wife should sign an affidavit stating that she does not carry out hairdressing for monetary reward in the home? Does he not consider that this is conducive to the spread of TB rather than its eradication? It seems that the health board are more interested in finding out the income of the household than in eradicating the disease. Is the Minister happy that investigations such as this should take so long?

If the Deputy makes the details of this case available to me I will investigate it fully. A means test has applied since this allowance was introduced in 1948 following the enactment of the 1947 Act. Originally the incomes of the applicant and of all members of the household were taken into account but since 1974 the health board have taken into account only the income of the applicant and his or her spouse.

Am I to understand that no changes have been made recently in the regulations?

Not since 1974.