Health Act, 1947

Charges for institutional services.

17.—(1) Where a person receives institutional services from a health authority or pursuant to an agreement made by a health authority under section 12 of this Act, the health authority may, at their discretion, but subject to the provisions of section 24 of the National Health Insurance Act, 1929 (No. 42 of 1929) and to any relevant regulations under section 28 or section 31 of this Act, charge a reasonable sum for such services.

(2) Where a person is detained in an institution under section 38 of this Act no charge shall be made under this section in respect of any institutional services which such person receives during such detention.

(3) In determining what sum is a reasonable sum to be charged under this section for services received by any person, regard shall be had to the financial circumstances of such person,

(4) A charge under subsection (1) of this section for institutional services received from a health authority by any person may be recovered as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction from:—

(a) such person or, in case such person has died, his legal personal representative, or

(b) any other person liable to maintain such person for the purposes of the Public Assistance Act, 1939 (No. 27 of 1939), by virtue of section 27 of that Act or, in case such other person has died, his legal personal representative.