asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the Galway County Council have made an order for the abolition of Ardrahan dispensary district as from 1st June 1963; and that such an order will cause grave inconvenience to the people of that district owing to the fact that in certain cases they will have to travel over twelve miles to their dispensary doctor and if, in view of such hardship, he will consider holding a sworn inquiry into the matter before giving his consent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ardrahan (Galway) Dispensary.
2.
Mr. Donnellan
Following receipt and examination of proposals received from the health authority in the matter, I made an Order on the 17th April, 1963, under Section 51 (2) of the Health Act, 1953, abolishing Ardrahan dispensary district and adding the area at present comprising the district, partly to Gort dispensary district and partly to Kinvara dispensary district. The Order will come into effect on the 1st June, next.
I am not aware that the reorganisation of the dispensary districts will cause grave inconvenience to the people of Ardrahan dispensary district. I am informed by the health authority that under the revised arrangements, consequent on the revision of the dispensary districts, dispensary sessions will be held by the district medical officer, Gort dispensary district, at Gort, Ardrahan and Peterswell and by the district medical officer, Kinvara dispensary district, at Kinvara and Ardrahan. Thus, eligible persons in Ardrahan dispensary district can continue to attend their dispensary doctor at their present dispensary and they will be further facilitated by being able, if they so wish, to attend the dispensary at Gort or Kinvara, depending on the dispensary district to which they have been transferred; in some cases this will be a more convenient arrangement for them.
Further, a district medical officer is obliged to attend at an eligible person's home where, through incapacity, a person is unable to attend the dispensary.
Mr. Donnellan
Will the dispensary at Ardrahan still continue?
Yes, there will be a dispensary there.
Mr. Donnellan
On certain days?
Two days a week.
Mr. Donnellan
Apart from that, is the Minister aware that in some cases persons will have to travel over 12 statute miles to get a dispensary doctor? Does he not think that is grave hardship in an area where there is no communication whatever?
So far as I can understand, some people will be more inconvenienced while others will be more convenienced by the change.
It cannot be desirable to have people travelling 12 miles to see a doctor.
I am not aware of that.
Mr. Donnellan
I am aware of it. Would the Minister reconsider the matter?
I am not disputing what the Deputy says.
Mr. Donnellan
Would the Minister reconsider the position? I know there is grave hardship involved. I have a letter here from Father O'Donohue stating that a protest meeting is being held to-morrow night and asking me to attend in regard to the Ardrahan dispensary. In all sincerity, I want to point out to the Minister that there is definitely grave hardship involved in this change which should never have been agreed to. I ask the Minister to reconsider his decision because it will create uproar and the people cannot be blamed because it is impossible for them to exist in a place where you have to go 12 miles for a doctor and where there is no telephone or other means of communication.