Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Feb 1938

Vol. 70 No. 2

Committee on Finance. - Vote 43—Dundrum Asylum.

Minister for Local Government and Public Health (Mr. O Ceallaigh)

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim Bhreise na raghaidh thar £383 chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1938, chun Costaisí Coinneáil-suas Ceilteanna Cuirpthe i nGealtlainn Dúndroma (8 agus 9 Vict., c. 107).

That a Supplementary sum not exceeding £383 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1938, for the Expenses of the Maintenance of Criminal Lunatics in the Dundrum Asylum (8 and 9 Vict., c. 107).

The additional sum required for Dundrum Asylum is £383, due to an increase in the number of attendants and remuneration for a locum tenens for the assistant medical officer who is temporarily seconded for special work.

Mr. Heron

In regard this Estimate, I should like to know if it is intended to make provision for such an increase in the number of attendants as will enable a reasonable working week to be given to the attendants in Dundrum. The recognised working week in the ordinary mental hospitals throughout the country is, I think, 48 hours. The Dundrum attendants work 62 hours per week and it is fairly evident, I think, that the nature of their work is objectionable and of such a character as would require as short a working week as possible. I should like to know if these extra attendants will enable the working week in Dundrum to be shortened.

Mr. O Ceallaigh

Up to recently the working hours per week were, I think, 63 or 64. Under the new arrangement, which will come into operation very soon, the working week will consist of 56 hours. It is true, as the Deputy says, that in the ordinary mental hospitals, like Grangegorman, the attendants' hours are 48 per week but in the case of mental hospitals such as Grangegorman each attendant has to look after, on the average, 7.2 to 7.4 patients. Under the new arrangement in Dundrum the staff work will be considerably lightened because with the considerable addition which is proposed each attendant will have only two patients to look after.

Vote agreed to and reported.