To ask the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the salaries of the Dispensary midwives in Callan Union, which have not been paid since 1st July, 1922, still remain unpaid, and that the Kilkenny County Board of Health stated in February last that, as Callan Union has not yet amalgamated under it the County Board has not control over the service in that area, and whether, in view of the Ministry's letter to the Irish Nurses and Midwives' Union of January 23rd (2355/ 1923, Kilkenny Co.) saying that "this matter is being arranged with the Board of Health," he will take steps to ensure that all arrears of salary are paid without further delay, and payments made regularly in future.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - SALARIES OF MIDWIVES.
The delay in the payment of these officers has arisen from the opposition of the Callan Guardians to the County Amalgamation Scheme. The Ministry informed the Callan Guardians on the 23rd January last that no objection would be raised to the discharge by the County Council of the Guardians' liabilities up to the 31st March, 1923, provided the Guardians adopted the necessary resolution dissolving their Board.
It is expected that the question will be disposed of shortly.