asked the Minister for Health if in view of the large number of children in the Ballyfermot area requiring and entitled to free medical attention he will appoint additional dispensary doctors in that area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Attention for Ballyfermot Children.
3.
Mr. Ryan
I have no information that the incidence of child illness in Ballyfermot differs from that obtaining elsewhere. In any event, responsibility for the appointment of dispensary doctors is a matter, in the first instance, for the local authority, who have full and detailed knowledge of the circumstances in the area. Recently, the Dublin Board of Assistance, with my approval, appointed an additional dispensary doctor for the Ballyfermot Dispensary District, bringing the total number of dispensary doctors employed there to five. I understand that the Board has not received any complaint from patients or from any responsible person that the service is inadequate.
The service provided by the five dispensary doctors in the district is supplemented by the Dublin Corporation which provides four Child Welfare Clinics each week in the Ballyfermot dispensary.