asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there is no doctor available on the Aran Islands, County Galway; and what immediate steps he will take to ensure that one will be provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aran Islands Doctor.
90.
I understand that the doctor employed as temporary district medical officer on the Aran Islands resigned on 18th March and that despite special efforts by the health authority a resident successor has not been obtained up to today. As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware it is difficult to recruit doctors for the more remote areas. In the case of the Aran Islands, a special allowance of £560 is payable, in addition to the standard salary as an aid to recruitment.
I have just been informed that the Galway County Council have arranged for a doctor to take up resident duty temporarily on Inishmore this evening. An additional nurse will take up duty on Saturday.
Will you try to do something about Arranmore now that you have done something about Inishmore?
That is a separate question.
The history of the medical practice there has been very poor as there has been a series of locums acting over the years.
Has the Deputy a question?
I am coming to that. Could the Parliamentary Secretary say if the Minister will regard this as a case for special treatment and see that something will be done so that a doctor will stay there? This extra money is used up travelling from one island to the other. A doctor has no practice there, only the dispensary practice, and no doctor will remain without a practice. Will the Minister see that there is a further additional payment given to make the post attractive?
The Minister has made every effort to make this position as attractive as possible by offering an additional £560, which is somewhere in the region of 45 per cent higher than the standard salary for the position. It is indicative of the Department's anxiety to get a permanent doctor for the Aran Islands.
The Minister is aware that this money is used to travel from one island to another and in certain weather conditions, it is difficult to get a boat unless the lifeboat is employed. All these things add up.