asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware of the fact that the acting dispensary doctor at Robertstown, County Kildare, resides at Naas and that considerable hardship is thereby caused to local persons who require the services of the doctor in urgent cases; whether it is proposed to fill the vacancy for a medical officer which exists in the dispensary district, and, if so, when the appointment will be made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Facilities in County Kildare.
The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative, as regards place of residence and complaints of hardship. The information in my Department indicates that the temporary medical officer resides within the dispensary district, but I will cause further inquiries to be made. The making of a recommendation for the permanent post is at present receiving attention by the Local Appointments Commissioners.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware of the fact that the medical officer in question, who is acting as locum tenens at Robertstown, resides in Naas, which is eight miles away? Will the Parliamentary Secretary say when the Local Appointments Commissioners are likely to recommend an officer to fill this post, especially in view of the hardships occasioned to local persons consequent upon their not being able to get in touch with the doctor, who resides eight miles from the village of Robertstown?
I cannot say when the Local Appointments Commissioners will make a recommendation for the filling of the post, but, as I have already stated, from the information at my disposal the temporary medical officer resides in the dispensary district. However, as there seems to be some doubt as to the accuracy of that information, further inquiries are being made.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary expedite the making of the appointment by the Appointments Commissioners?
It scarcely rests with my Department to do that. Anyhow, I will see if anything can be done in that direction.