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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Mar 1970

Vol. 245 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Domiciliary Nursing Service.

18.

asked the Minister for Health the total number of domiciliary nurses provided; and how many local authorities provided them (a) prior to circular 48/65 which urged an increase in the domiciliary nursing services and (b) at the most recent date for which figures are available.

On the 31st December, 1965, a total of 308 nurses were engaged on district nursing duties: 171 of these were employed by 25 health authorities and the remainder were employed by voluntary nursing organisations.

On 31st December, 1969, a total of 586 nurses were engaged on district nursing duties. 489 were employed by health authorities and the remainder were employed by voluntary nursing organisations. All health authorities are now employing public health nurses.

Would the Minister say what he considers to be the optimum figure in this regard?

At the moment we have a target of about 600 nurses so there are some 34 more to be employed. I think I am right in saying that number are being trained at present. Of course, in addition to these, there are already 120 nurses who do immunisation school medical work and who work in the offices of county medical officers.

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