asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that no female medical practitioner is allowed to hold a hospital post under Dublin Health Authority unless she is unmarried or a widow; if so, why; and if he will amend the regulations to allow married practitioners to be employed by the Health Authority.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Female Medical Practitioners.
14.
The suggestion in the question that no married woman is employed by Dublin Health Authority in a hospital medical post is not correct. I understand, however, that it is only exceptionally that the health authority employs married women in such posts. This accords with the general and traditional practice in the local service where permanent appointments are not open to married women and temporary appointments only when no other suitably qualified candidate is available. A change in the present practice would involve a major policy decision. For the present I do not think this is required.
Is there any particular reason why these authorities will not employ married women?
In fact, the Dublin Health Authority have a great many married women doctors temporarily employed. Other authorities have too. The reason is, I think, that they are able to get married women or widows with comparative ease. Naturally, I will keep this whole matter under review. If it became quite clear that there were insufficient doctors and married women were available who could fill the posts, I would naturally consider them in the same way as married women teachers are considered at the moment. I am not aware of any problem.
There are certain areas in which married women doctors find it difficult to get employment under local authorities. Is there any reason why they should be put at the bottom of the list? Is there any reason why, in an area under-populated with doctors, the Minister would not consider giving employment to married women doctors?
The practice generally is that unmarried women and widows are employed. If married women are required they are appointed under special conditions on a temporary basis. There has been a change in the case of teachers. I will keep the matter under review. Naturally, married women doctors would be employed if there was an acute shortage.
Does the Minister agree with the present practice of excluding married women?
I do not propose to answer that question today. A commission is being set up by the Government to inquire into the status of women in general and it will be much better to argue the matter when the report of the commission is published.