asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that much hardship is caused to the people of Kenmare, County Kerry and the surrounding areas, because no permanent appointment has been made to the post of dispensary and hospital doctor in Kenmare, and because the dispensary doctor at Tuosist has for some time been carrying out the duties of this post in addition to his own; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kenmare Dispensary Vacancy.
8.
I am not aware that the position is as stated by the Deputy. According to my information, for more than a year, since 11th January, 1962, the duties of the post have been discharged by a medical officer appointed on a temporary basis following advertisement.
The future organisation of the medical services in this area is under examination and permanent arrangements cannot be made until that examination is completed.
Is the Minister aware that since the permanent officer took up a position in Dublin at the end of 1961 the county manager has found it almost impossible to get a substitute? At various times the Tuosist dispensary doctor had to attend to two dispensaries and Kenmare hospital under great hardship and at great inconvenience to himself, working almost day and night. Almost four months elapsed before a temporary doctor was got. That is why the people want this post filled permanently— immediately if possible. There is another matter——
One at a time, please.
Kenmare Hospital and Kenmare dispensary are all one. Will they be amalgamated in the future or will they be two different ones?
In normal circumstances, my policy normally has been that a local government doctor should not hold more than one local government appointment, that is, we cannot have one practitioner monopolising all the official posts in the dispensary district or other administrative area. With regard to the position in Kenmare, there has been no great difficulty. Occasionally, of course, dispensary posts become vacant and are vacant for a few weeks, but in those circumstances the neighbouring doctor always acts as locum or in a temporary capacity, until the vacancy is filled. This appointment has been filled since January last year quite satisfactorily.
Some posts are vacant, not for a matter of weeks but years.
No. That happened under another régime.
It is happening at present.
The present doctor doing the temporary duty is going to a new post within a short time.
I am not aware of that. Would the Deputy write to me?