Vol. 209 No. 3
asked the Minister for Health if, having regard to the widespread public concern about the possible close down of the Queen's Institute of District Nursing, he will take steps to prevent such a development by providing the Institute with adequate financial assistance.
5.
asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a press report that his recent proposals for the alleviation of the financial position of the Jubilee Nursing Association had not met the minimum requirements of the Queen's Institute of District Nursing; and that a danger exists that this valuable organisation may now be forced to close down; and, if so, if he will again review the position with a view to meeting their minimum requirements.
I propose—with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle —to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
I hold in the highest possible regard the voluntary service provided by the Queen's Institute of District Nursing, and I am most anxious to secure that this service will continue to be available to the public. To this end I am prepared to do my utmost, consistent with my obligations to the Exchequer and to the finances of local health authorities, to encourage the Institute and their affiliated Associations to remain in being.
The Institute is well aware of—and, in fact, has publicly acknowledged— my appreciation of the valuable services provided by their nurses.
In correspondence over recent months, I have made certain financial proposals to the Institute which should go a very considerable distance towards helping that body to resolve its present difficulties, and have intimated that I would be prepared, if the Council of the Institute so desired, to meet a deputation to discuss their problems.
The Council of the Institute are still considering my proposals. I am now informed that they intend to consult their local representatives about them and that they have accepted my offer to receive a deputation to discuss the position as soon as replies from their representatives have been received and considered.
I have seen no press report which alleged that my recent proposals had not met the minimum requirements of the Institute, and I would greatly deprecate any statement of this kind made before the Institute's consideration of my proposals has been concluded, and before I have had the opportunity of meeting the deputation of its Council members to discuss the Institute's problems.
