asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he can indicate the future of social welfare agents now employed on a dispensary area basis when the area changes under the impending Health Act come to be implemented.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Future of Social Welfare Agents.
12.
Any changes which the Minister for Health may bring about in the structure of the health services will not affect the future of local agents serving in my Department.
Will the Minister not agree that they are at present employed on a dispensary area basis and, according to what the Minister for Health said, when introducing his White Paper, this area basis will be extended to a regional basis? Will that not affect these officers? If it does, will the Minister give them some compensation in regard to travelling expenses because they have none at the moment?
It will not affect them. Dispensary areas are identifiable geographical areas.
If the Minister for Health changes the dispensary areas, what happens then?
If it is necessary to discontinue the use of the word "dispensary area", that can be done.
Social Welfare officers are not employed on a dispensary area basis.
They are.
They are not.
They are in Wexford.
They may be in Wexford, but not elsewhere.