asked the Taoiseach when the Local Appointments Commission propose to fill the vacancy for medical officer in the Ardagh Dispensary, County Limerick, which has been vacant for a considerable time; and, if in view of the fact that dispensary patients in the area have, as a result of the vacancy, to attend private medical practitioners, the Commission will expedite the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Dispensary Vacancy.
The Local Appointments Commissioners have not, in fact, been requested to recommend, to the local authority concerned, a person for appointment to the post to which the Deputy refers. Until they are so requested, the commissioners cannot take any steps to fill the vacancy.
In regard, however, to the statement made in the last part of the question, I have ascertained that the local authority have appointed a temporary medical officer in the dispensary district, and there should therefore be no need for holders of medical cards in the district to attend private practitioners.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the information contained in the latter part of his reply is not correct? While there may be a temporary officer doing the work or employed by the local authority, the fact remains that the people who would ordinarily go to the dispensary for treatment are now obliged to go to private practitioners and have to pay them fees for the services they are receiving.
I am informed that there has been no break whatever in the occupancy of the post between the resignation of the former dispensary medical officer and the appointment of the temporary medical officer. The former officer resigned on the 4th May and on that date a temporary officer took up duty and has been on duty ever since. There would appear to be no reason why there should be any necessity for the state of affairs which the Deputy alleges exists.