asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether the County Manager for Donegal made an Order (No. 5837) on the 6th January, 1944, granting increased rates of salary for the nurses in the county and his Department has failed to sanction the proposals; and if in view of the fact that a subsequent meeting of the Donegal County Council unanimously resolved to ask him to reconsider his decision, and that the refusal to sanction the proposals has operated to prevent managers for certain other counties from proposing similar increases, he will now grant the necessary sanction.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Nurses' Salaries.
The County Manager for Donegal made an order on the 6th January last granting certain salaries and allowances to nurses employed by the County Council. No reference was made in the order to the grant of rations and other emoluments which the nurses at present receive.
If it was proposed to discontinue the grant of emoluments the revised terms of appointment were less favourable than those approved for similar posts in other areas.
If the revised scales of remuneration were in addition to existing emoluments they would be in excess of the improved rates of remuneration which have recently been approved in other counties. Correspondence with a view to clarification of the matter is proceeding with the local authority.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, surely the Department should have it that the county manager's proposals were intended to include the usual emoluments in view of the fact that the nurses at the present moment are getting the usual emoluments?
The county manager will clarify that as a result of the correspondence that is at present taking place.
The Parliamentary Secretary did not refer to the dispensary midwives in respect of whom the county manager recommended an increase. Has that been turned down by the Department or has the Parliamentary Secretary anything to say about it, especially, in view of the fact that the Central Midwives' Board and other persons are very much concerned about the scarcity of midwives in the country?