asked the Minister for Health how long ago it is since Abbeyleix dispensary district, County Laois has had a permanent dispensary doctor; how many times the position had to be filled since then by means of temporary appointments; and if in view of the present unsatisfactory position and the fact that the present temporary appointee is leaving shortly he will take steps to ensure that a permanent appointment is made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Abbeyleix Dispensary Doctor.
12.
The permanent office of District Medical Officer, Abbeyleix Dispensary District, became vacant in October, 1950, and has since been filled on five occasions on a temporary basis. The circumstances which resulted in the making of temporary appointments over such a long period are as follows.
In 1951 the office in question was amalgamated with that of Medical Officer of Abbeyleix District Hospital but the filling of the amalgamated office was not proceeded with due to uncertainty regarding the future hospitalisation position in Abbeyleix. My precedessors in office subsequently decided that the public interest would best be served by refusing to allow an existing major office holder, such as a District Medical Officer, to retain his office in the event of his taking up an appointment to a second major office such as Medical Officer of a District Hospital or County Home. I agreed with this policy. It will be appreciated that the advertisement of an amalgamated permanent office, such as that in Abbeyleix, would give rise to certain difficulties in view of the number of cases where District Medical Officers have been refused consent to the holding of a second major office of Medical Officer of a District Hospital or County Home. I have had the position in Abbeyleix specially considered, however, and hope to reach a decision shortly in regard to the question of filling the office of District Medical Officer on a permanent basis.