asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state the reason why an increase in salary voted by the local committee to Nurse Kavanagh, tuberculosis dispensary, Waterford, more than a year ago, has not been sanctioned and why several letters addressed to his Department in the matter were not replied to.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Nurse's Salary.
This matter came under the Department's notice only on an entry in the minutes of proceedings of the Waterford Corporation of the 2nd May, 1935. A reply to an inquiry by the Department as to the reason for the increase in Nurse Kavanagh's salary was received from the Corporation on the 15th July, 1935, and was acknowledged. From this reply it appeared that the case for additional salary was based on a statement that the total number of attendances at the local tuberculosis Dispensary in recent years had increased. It was ascertained, however, from the annual returns furnished by the local tuberculosis officer to this Department in connection with the numbers of tuberculous patients treated under the Waterford city scheme that these numbers had declined from 380 in the year 1931 to 315 in 1933 and 341 in 1934. It was, therefore, considered advisable to await the receipt of the return showing the number of patients for the year 1935. This return, recently examined, shows the number treated as 382 or slightly higher than the 1931 figure. The question of increased remuneration to the tuberculosis nurse has also been under consideration in connection with the proposed development of the school medical service scheme as to whether any portion of the duties under that scheme could be assigned to the tuberculosis nurse. It is hoped to give a decision in the matter shortly.