asked the Minister for Health whether nurses at present employed by voluntary nursing associations such as the Jubilee and Dudley nurses will be absorbed into State employment under the new health scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Voluntary Nurses.
I presume the reference to "State" employment is to employment in the service of a local authority.
The extension of domiciliary nursing services is a difficult problem which I am at present examining. I am aware of the very good work done by the nursing associations referred to in the question in the areas in which they operate and I am anxious that the maximum possible use should be made of such voluntary effort, but until my examination of the general question is completed I cannot say whether it will be possible to integrate the work of the associations with the nursing services which will have to be set up by local authorities.
Should it be necessary to replace the present services in the areas concerned by local anthorities — and I am not suggesting that it should—special consideration will be given to the position of the existing nurses.