asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state why Mary McMahon, employed in the Croom Hospital, Limerick, as maid, was not paid during her three months illness, caused through contracting scarlatina; whether all maids in this hospital are insured, and, if not, if he will state what is the reason for not having them insured, and if he will see that payment is expedited.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - HOSPITAL ATTENDANT'S PAY (LIMERICK).
The Medical Officer of the hospital reported to the Board of Health that Mary McMahon fell ill on the 5th December, 1923. He reported subsequently that she was discharged from hospital and given a week's leave to return to duty on the 28th January, 1924. Consequently she would appear to have been away from work for a period of about seven weeks. I have no information at present to show whether she was or was not paid during that period, or whether she was maintained in the hospital at the expense of the rates.
The insurance of employees of the Board of Health is primarily a matter for the Board. I would suggest that all employees who are not appointed permanently to pensionable posts should be insured.
If any question of payment in this case is referred to me I will look carefully into it.