asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a proposal to close the present weekly dispensary session at Cabinteely, County Dublin; that patients who attend this dispensary would be required to attend the Ballybrack dispensary and that this would involve hardship on the persons concerned; and, if so, if he will ensure that a weekly dispensary session is retained at Cabinteely.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cabinteely Dispensary.
9.
The continuance or discontinuance of sessions at dispensaries or dispensary premises is a matter for the health authority in the first instance.
I am informed that a weekly dispensary session was held at rented premises in Cabinteely until recently.
It was represented to my Department by the health authority that the continuance of sessions at these premises would not be justified as the attendance was small—sometimes no patient attended and sometimes two or three; that alternative arrangements have been made for the attendance of these patients at Ballybrack Dispensary; and that the owner of the premises was anxious to terminate the letting. The health authority also stated that there is a satisfactory bus service to Ballybrack for the persons concerned. On the basis of this information, I approved, on 30th ultimo, the proposal of the health authority to discontinue the weekly session.
Proposals by the health authority for the reorganisation of dispensary districts in the area are at present under examination in my Department and the authority have indicated that the general position regarding dispensaries in the district will be reconsidered when the position regarding the revision of dispensary districts has been finalised.