asked the Minister for Health whether he will arrange with Kerry County Council to open a dispensary in the Dirreendarragh-Tahilla district of the Sneem dispensary district in view of the long distance which people in this area are required to travel to Sneem dispensary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Dispensary.
63.
The provision of dispensary accommodation in Dirreen-darragh-Tahilla is a matter, in the first instance, for the Kerry health authority. I have not received any proposal for such facilities from the health authority.
In view of the proposed introduction of a choice of doctor which would permit eligible persons to attend a doctor's private surgery, health authorities have not built additional dispensaries in rural areas in recent years.
If, however, the health authority feel that the circumstances in Dirreendar-ragh-Tahilla are so exceptional as to justify building a dispensary at this stage, I will give urgent consideration to any proposal they submit to me.