asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that the dispensary medical officers for Fontstown and Moone, County Kildare, do not reside in their dispensary areas, and that the absence of medical doctors from their areas causes serious inconvenience to local persons who require their services; and if he will take steps to ensure that the local people will be provided with the services of a dispensary doctor who resides within the area to which he was appointed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kildare Dispensary Doctors.
3.
I am aware that the dispensary medical officers for Fontstown and Moone do not reside in their dispensary districts. The local authority proposed that these doctors should be allowed to reside outside their districts temporarily pending consideration of proposals for the reorganisation of the dispensary districts. I am not aware that the absence of the medical officers from their areas causes serious inconvenience to eligible persons who require their services; I understand that no complaints have been received by the county council in the matter and that both doctors are available on the telephone at their places of residence.
I do not however consider the arrangement satisfactory as a permanent measure and I will bear the matter in mind in arriving at a decision on the proposals which have been received in my Department for the reorganisation of dispensary districts in the area.
Is the Minister aware that a new dispensary residence was constructed in Fontstown, clearly implying it was intended that the dispensary doctor should reside there? Surely he ought to be required to reside in the dispensary, pending the reorganisation of the dispensary areas, rather than outside the area for which he was appointed? Is the Minister aware, too, that these are very scattered areas in which transport and telephonic communication are quite difficult and it is exceedingly difficult for the local people to get in touch with the dispensary doctors, especially when they are required over the weekends or during the night time? Would the Minister cause further inquiries to be made among the local people to ascertain their real views on the manner in which they have been deprived of satisfactory dispensary services?
As a former Cabinet Minister and head of a Department, the Deputy will understand that it is not the practice for Ministers to go out and make personal inquiries in dispensary districts among the local people. With regard to the question of Fontstown, the position there is that in view of the pending reorganisation of dispensary districts, a temporary medical officer has been appointed and it is not the custom to require a temporary medical officer to reside in the dispensary district.
I did not suggest that the Minister should personally undertake an inquiry in the area. As I want the inquiry properly conducted, the last person I would suggest to undertake the work is the Minister. There must be in the Minister's Department, notwithstanding his corroding influence, some person of intelligence who could make inquiries among the local people to ascertain their views in regard to a matter about which the Minister is too lazy to do anything.
The Minister's corroding influence has raised the Deputy's skin.
I hate poison.