asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the residents of the Drimoleague dispensary district are gravely dissatisfied by reason of the fact that there has been no resident doctor in the dispensary district for a number of years ; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to rectify this grave injustice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Resident Doctor for Drimoleague.
I have been in communication with Cork County Council for some time with regard to the place of residence of the medical officer of Drimoleague Dispensary District who resides approximately three miles outside his district. The local authority, who are satisfied that suitable residential accommodation for the medical officer is available within the district, has been directed to inform him that he must take up permanent residence within his district at the earliest possible date. I understand that the local authority have not yet been notified by the medical officer that he has complied with the direction issued to him in this regard. I am having further inquiries made in the matter.
Is the Minister aware that this doctor made no effort whatsoever to secure a residence within the dispensary district? Efforts to compel the doctor to reside within the district have been going on for the past two or three years. The Minister's predecessor made an Order in November, 1949, that all dispensary doctors residing outside their areas had until November, 1950, to procure a residence within their districts if they desired to hold their positions unless they could show cause for not doing so. In view of that fact and the fact that a number of people live as far as 16 miles from this dispensary officer and are deriving no benefit whatsoever even though they are entitled to public assistance treatment, would the Minister take immediate action in this matter?
I understand that the local authority gave the dispensary doctor an order to live within his district by the 30th June.
The local authority gave the dispensary doctor an order to live within his district by November, 1950. That is eight months ago. He has taken no steps to do so since then and he appears to be getting away with it.
We will make further inquiries about that.