asked the Minister for Health what steps he proposes to take to have a permanent medical officer appointed to Ferbane, County Offaly, dispensary district; why no permanent dispensary medical officer has been appointed to the Blue Ball, Killoughy, County Offaly, dispensary district; if he is aware of the general demand by the public for such appointments; and if he will take steps to have these vacancies permanently filled without delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Medical Officers.
21.
The Local Appointments Commissioners recently announced the first of a series of competitions, the remainder to be announced over the next few weeks, for a number of permanent district medical officer appointments, including a permanent appointment for the vacant district medical officer post in Ferbane dispensary district.
The recruitment of permanent district medical officers has been suspended for some time in order to facilitate the reorganisation of the general medical service on the basis of choice of doctor. All the districts included in the competitions which the Local Appointments Commissioners are now announcing have been without permanent district medical officers for a considerable time. The competitions are being held on conditions which will enable the persons appointed to be absorbed into the new general medical service in due course. The question of holding a further competition on similar lines is being considered. The case for including the Killoughy post, which became vacant too recently for inclusion in the current competitions, in the next competition will be carefully examined.