asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the new imposition of 5d. per gallon on petrol which places an additional burden on dispensary doctors, he will consider granting these public servants an allowance towards the cost of running their cars in connection with their public duties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Car Allowance for Dispensary Doctors.
The answer is no. I do not consider that the grant of an allowance would be justified. Dispensary medical officers are part-time officials. They receive an allowance of 36 gallons of petrol per month. The increased tax of 5d. per gallon represents an additional cost to them of £9 per year, only a proportion of which is applicable to their official duties, and the Deputy will appreciate that their salaries, which were revised only recently, cannot be adjusted to reflect such minor variations in expenses incidental to their work.