asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he has yet considered the recommendations of the Dublin City Manager and of the Dublin Corporation, sent to him on 13th May, 1946, for improved conditions for all members of the nursing profession engaged in the service of local authorities in Dublin; and if so, if he will state the results of such consideration.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nurses' Conditions of Service.
No comprehensive proposals of the nature referred to by the Deputy have been submitted to me by the Dublin Corporation. The advisability of drafting model scales of remuneration and conditions of service for nurses for the information and guidance of local authorities is at present under consideration. In this connection, however, I should make it clear to all concerned that the initiative in such matters will rest in each case with the local authority.
What does the Minister mean when he says that no comprehensive proposals were submitted to him? I did not ask him that. I asked him if he had received a recommendation from the Dublin city manager and the corporation to increase the pay of nurses in their service, most of whom will be applying soon for the better conditions and wages obtainable across the water if something is not done. Can we not remedy that position and keep our nurses at home by saying "yes" to the recommendations of the city manager and so pay our nurses a decent wage?
I have answered the question which the Deputy put to me. He asked me if I had received the recommendations of the Dublin city manager and of the corporation for improved conditions for all members of the nursing profession engaged in the service of local authorities in Dublin. I have said that no comprehensive proposals of the nature referred to by the Deputy have been submitted to me by the Dublin Corporation. Proposals have been received in respect of some branches of the service, but not in respect of all.
Will the Minister speed up his consideration of these proposals before the emigrant ship takes away most of these nurses?