asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the amalgamation of the Kilcormac and Kinnity Dispensaries in Offaly by his Department is causing hardship and inconvenience to the people of those areas; that one of the results will be that patients will have to send a distance of over fourteen miles to secure the services of a doctor; that, furthermore, the doctor in charge of these two dispensaries is also acting as locum tenens for the Clonaslee Dispensary District, which will entail a journey of twenty-four miles by patients residing in the opposite end of the Kilcormac district requiring his services; whether he is satisfied that one doctor can give proper attention to the health of the people where he has such a large area to cover, and if, in the circumstances, he will revert to the old system of dispensaries which was in existence for over sixty years.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - AMALGAMATION OF DISPENSARIES IN OFFALY.
On the occurrence of a vacancy in the medical officership of Kinnitty Dispensary District, portion of Kilcormac Dispensary District was transferred to Birr Dispensary District, and a portion of what was formerly Kinnitty Dispensary District was added to Kilcormac Dispensary District. The balance of Kinnitty Dispensary District was transferred to Roscrea No. 2 Dispensary District. The furthest point of the rearranged Kilcormac Dispensary District does not appear to be more than ten miles from the Medical Officer's residence, which is in Kinnitty.
The Medical Officer of Kilcormac Dispensary District has been acting temporarily in Clonaslee Dispensary District, Laoighis County, but the Laoighis County Board of Health have been instructed to appoint a Medical Officer permanently for Clonaslee Dispensary District. This will obviate the twenty-four mile journeys referred to by the Deputy.
None of the new districts is unduly large; in fact, some of the other districts in Offaly are of greater extent. I am satisfied that one Medical Officer can give proper attention to the health of the poor in each of the revised areas, and in view of modern means of communication and transport there are substantial grounds for maintaining that arrangements made over sixty years ago may now safely be revised with a view to economy. The most suitable time to consider such matters is on the occurrence of vacancies in districts where rearrangements will not involve any additional burdens on the rates as regards superannuation allowances.
Is the Minister prepared to give any reply in regard to the reorganisation of the Dispensary Districts in Offaly?
No, sir.
In view of the absence of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health, and the absence of a satisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the adjournment.