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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Nov 1927

Vol. 21 No. 14

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RE-ARRANGEMENT OF DISPENSARY DISTRICTS.

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the reasons for the rearrangement of dispensary districts in the Saorstát, and if he is aware of the hardship this has resulted in, in many cases, and particularly in the case of the sick poor in the townland of Eanaghan, in the dispensary district of Ballinalee, Longford, who have to pass the dispensary doctor's house in Scrabby, and travel nine miles to their own dispensary doctor in Ballinalee, and if he will provide some readjustment of dispensary districts that will prevent this hardship.

Dispensary districts are rearranged from time to time according as experience shows that greater facilities can thus be afforded to the sick poor, or at least equal facilities with a lesser cost to the rates. In the particular case to which the Deputy refers, the townland of Eanaghan is in the district electoral division of Colmcille, in Ballinalee dispensary district, County Longford, and and persons from certain portions of this townland can pass through Scrabby, County Cavan, on their way to Ballinalee, County Longford, but this does not appear to be the direct road. So far no complaint of hardship arising from the arrangements for the relief of the sick poor in Eanaghan has been received. I will be prepared to consider any proposal submitted by the Longford Board of Health and Public Assistance for the rearrangement of dispensary districts within the county which would result in improved service to the sick poor. If the Board of Health and Public Assistance consider that the Medical Officer of Ballinalee dispensary district is not residing in a central and convenient position it is open to them to suggest an improvement.

Was it in the interests of the sick poor or in the interests of clerks in the Local Government Office that this change was made in the arrangements of dispensary districts?

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