asked the Minister for Health if he will state whether he intends to introduce proposals for legislation with a view to improving the salaries and working conditions of nurses employed in the various hospitals and private nursing homes throughout the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nurses' Pay and Conditions.
One of the first measures which I took upon assuming office was to impress upon local authorities the necessity for improving the conditions of nurses in their employment. I addressed a circular to local authorities on the 11th June, 1948, urging them to (a) introduce a 96-hour fortnight; (b) provide proper accommodation in the nurses' homes; (c) fix off-duty hours so as to permit nurses wherever possible to attend local entertainments; and (d) provide suitable indoor and outdoor recreational facilities.
A further circular was issued to local authorities on 12th October, 1948, regarding the delay in implementing the 96-hour fortnight.
The salaries payable to nurses employed in local authority hospitals have been improved during the past two years and I am examining the possibility of further improvements.
My functions extend only to nurses in the employment of local authorities. I have no functions in relation to nurses employed in private hospitals or nursing homes but, as I stated in reply to a Dáil question addressed to me by Deputy Dr. Maguire on the 18th March last, I would welcome any steps which the authorities of such hospitals may take to improve the conditions of service of their nurses where such improvements might be considered necessary.
I do not consider that it is necessary for me to introduce legislation for the purpose suggested by the Deputy.