asked the Minister for Health if he will state the salary, including all allowances, of midwives who are employed by local authorities and the usual conditions of employment such as hours of duty, holidays, etc.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Midwives.
Midwives employed by public assistance authorities are parttime officers. Their salary, inclusive of temporary bonus and uniform allowance, rises from a minimum of £140 to a maximum of £160 per annum. The period of annual leave granted to these officers is a matter for decision by the local authorities concerned, but in a recent circular to these bodies it was suggested that a period of four weeks should be allowed in all districts.
The hours of duty of midwives are not fixed—their services are available as required to patients entitled to them. The number of cases attended by the midwives varies from district to district. The highest number dealt with in any dispensary district, according to returns furnished in respect of the half-year ended 31st March last, was 80, but there were two midwives in that district. In only 16 districts did the number exceed 30 and the general average was 12.
Does the Minister not agree that a mileage rate should be paid to the midwives because of the essential nature of their services?
I should like to look into that.