asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that in St. Kevin's Hospital, Dublin, the wardsmen and male attendants are not provided with board or lodgings, that no cash allowances are granted and that when on night duty, which involves 12 hours each night for 6 nights of the week, the wardsmen and attendants are not provided with a meal nor are they provided with the facilities even to make a cup of tea; and, if so, whether he intends to take any action to have these conditions improved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - St. Kevin's Hospital, Dublin.
asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that while the wardsmen and male attendants employed in the Rialto Hospital have approximately £5 10s. 0d. per week in wages, the wardsmen in St. Kevin's Hospital, which is situated right beside the Rialto Hospital, have only £4 (approximately) per week, even though in both hospitals the work is similar; and, if so, whether he intends to take any action to have this situation remedied.
asked the Minister for Health if he will give particulars of the exact rates of wages, hours of work, conditions of employment, together with particulars of the sick leave and superannuation entitlements of wardsmen and male attendants employed at St. Kevin's Hospital, Dublin.
I propose, with your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, to take Questions Nos. 16, 17 and 18 together.
The rates of wages for permanent male attendants at St. Kevin's Hospital, Dublin, are £190×£6 — £238×£7—£245 per annum, with temporary bonus at the rate of 11/-per week. Temporary officers receive £4 per week together with temporary bonus at the same rate. Any increase in the wages paid to these temporary attendants is a matter for the Dublin Board of Assistance in the first instance.
The hours of work for these officers vary in the chronic section and the acute hospital in St. Kevin's Institution. In the chronic section, they are employed on day duty for two months and on night duty for one month. While on day duty, the hours of work are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on alternate days, with one day off each week. When on night duty, the hours are 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., with one night off each week. In the acute hospital, day duty is from 8 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., with three days off each fortnight. The hours for night duty are from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and 11.30 p.m. to 8 a.m. on alternate nights with one night off each week. Day duty in the acute hospital is performed for periods of two months, and night duty for one month.
The conditions regarding the grant of sick leave are set out in detail in the Local Government (Officers) Regulations, 1943. Permanent officers are entitled to superannuation allowances in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1925, and/or the Local Government (Superannuation) Act, 1948.
Male attendants employed in St. Kevin's Hospital are paid inclusive salaries and are not, therefore, entitled to any allowances in respect of board or lodging, or to free meals while on night duty. I am not aware that facilities to prepare meals are denied to these officers while on night duty. From inquiries which I have made, I understand that in the acute hospital, pantries are available for meals at night, and that fires are provided. In the chronic section, kitchens and pantries attached to wards are available for attendants requiring refreshments during the night.
I am aware that the wages of temporary male attendants employed in the Rialto Hospital are approximately £5 10s. 0d. per week. As I have indicated above, any question of increasing the wages of similar employees in St. Kevin's Hospital is a matter for the Dublin Board of Assistance in the first instance.