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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Mar 1928

Vol. 22 No. 17

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - COLUMBKILLE (CO. LONGFORD) ELECTORAL DIVISION.

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he can state for what reason the electoral division of Columbkille, County Longford, which for 70 years had been medically served from Scrabby Dispensary, which is within one to four miles of it, was last year detached from Scrabby Dispensary District and added to Ballinalee Dispensary District, which is nine to twelve miles away; whether he is aware that this alteration of an old-standing arrangement was made without any public inquiry, without notice to the people concerned, and in opposition to the views of the Longford County Board of Health, as expressed in a resolution of the Board; and whether, in view of the hardships imposed on poor people in having to travel nine to twelve miles for medical attention, he will take steps to have an inquiry held into the matter.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question of the 16th November last on the subject.

It was not exactly the same question. If the same reply covers different questions we have no use asking any question at all.

There was a very long reply as reported as having been given on the 16th of November; the last paragraph of it is: "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."

Is the Minister aware that similar cases exist in different parts of Longford, Cavan and Leitrim? Is it not the Minister's duty to see that nobody acting under him does wrong to the poor of the district?

I suggest that the Deputy should use his influence with the Board of Health in the district.

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