asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state what arrangements have been made in the event of serious illness amongst the poor to enable dispensary doctors to perform their duties adequately during the present winter and next spring should the petrol ration allocated to such doctors be insufficient for the purpose of the proper performance of their duties to the sick poor.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dispensary Doctor's Petrol Allowance.
I sincerely trust that there will be no such serious illness amongst the poor as the Deputy appears to contemplate. I can assure him that any deterioration in public health, particularly in the case of the poor, would receive the earnest attention of the Government. Contingencies of this nature are always kept in view, but I do not consider that it is necessary to announce arrangements to meet conditions which are at the present hypothetical.