asked the Minister for Health if he will state what action he has taken in regard to the representations made to him for improvement in the pay and conditions of service of health visitors employed in the Dublin City area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Health Visitors.
The representations made for a revision of the remuneration of public health nurses in Dublin have been examined and my views on the matter have been conveyed to representatives of the Irish Nurses' Organisation whom I received in deputations in September, 1948, and in March last, and in subsequent correspondence with the Irish Local Government Officials' Union.
I explained to the nurses' representatives that the granting of salary increases to one category of nurses would necessitate a revision of all nursing salary scales in the local authority services and I informed them that in the event of contemplated changes in the Dublin City public health nursing services which might result in an addition to the duties and responsibilities of these nurses the question of a revision of their salary scales would be considered.
Since 1939 the salary scale of £175-£5- £200 per annum payable at that time to these nurses has been increased to a scale of £257-£10-£307 per annum. They also receive a uniform allowance of £15 per annum. In addition, since May, 1948, they are paid a temporary allowance of 11/- per week to meet the increased cost of living.