asked the Minister for Health if he is prepared to amend the qualifications for the office of permanent nurse under county councils and health authorities to provide for the appointment in a permanent capacity of married nurses separated from their husbands.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Nurses.
2.
I am advised that while the practice of excluding married women from permanent nursing appointments under local authorities continues, it cannot, under existing legislation, be modified in favour of married nurses who are separated from their husbands. The practice in regard to the employment of married nurses will no doubt come under the scrutiny of the Commission on the Status of Women which has recently been established by the Government.
May I ask the Minister to explain why permanent established appointments are given to male married nurses and denied to female married nurses?
As I explained at some considerable length in the House already, and there is no need to repeat what I said, these are matters that must be considered by the commission in regard to the status of women. It would be quite wrong for me, as Minister for Health, to start making unilateral decisions which would affect other people in the service. It is best to wait for the commission to report.
Why should we need a State commission to decide whether or not male or female married nurses are grossly discriminated against in this setting? Surely the Minister knows quite well that this is a preposterous situation which he should end by bringing in amending legislation rather than waiting for a commission to report in five or six years time?
I have no evidence that the commission will report in five or six years time. They will report earlier than that.
I thought the Minister was a very progressive Minister for Health in every respect but frankly this reply is quite reactionary.
Can the Minister say how many married nurses are separated from their husbands? I thought the number was exceptionally small and insignificant.
I have no figures in that regard.