asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state if Ardee Mental Hospital is now fully staffed in accordance with the regulations governing the staffing of mental hospitals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Staffing of Mental Hospitals.
A proportion of the staff withdrew their services early in February, and since then a full staff has not been available. The hospital is being administered in a satisfactory manner with its present staff, which consists of three medical officers, 29 general trained female nurses and five male nurses.
Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he considers one-third of the normal staff sufficient?
The staff may not be considered sufficient, but the institution is being administered satisfactorily with the staff available at present.
Might I ask further if the Parliamentary Secretary is going to permit the Ardee Mental Hospital to be controlled by a staff of the number I have just mentioned? If so, will he not agree that other mental hospitals in the country are likely to take notice of this incitement to reduce their staffs?