Vol. 243 No. 1
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the hardships being experienced by medical card holders in parts of Kilkenny city and county because of the present dispute between the Medical Union and the County and City Managers' Association; and if he will indicate what action is being taken to bring about a settlement.
13.
asked the Minister for Health what progress has now been made towards meeting the claim by district medical officers for time off with pay for their locums, particularly in those areas where ample doctors are available to act as substitutes; and if he will ensure that the claim will be met in good time to avoid any difficulties which might otherwise be caused by the non-availability of services hitherto provided.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
As indicated in recent replies which I gave to similar questions, I have been in touch with the County and City Managers' Association and with representatives of the medical organisations concerned. A meeting has been arranged for later this week between officers of my Department and representatives of both parties, with a view to considering proposals for a settlement of the dispute.
Can the Minister give any indication that the climate is good for a settlement?
I should not like to predict at this stage what is likely to happen. We have been meeting the medical association concerned at frequent intervals. I hope that the bringing together of the City and County Managers' Association and the medical associations will result in a better understanding of the problem and whether the problem may possibly be solved. I could not say more than that.
Would the Minister say if he will indicate to the Managers' Association that he intends to contribute to the cost of providing the locum?
I shall have to wait and see what the proposition is. I think the House knows that the attitude taken by a Minister for Health in regard to these matters is a reasonable one.
Is the Minister sympathetic to the claim in the same way as his predecessor was?
I think there is a case to be made. It is a question of exactly what arrangement should be made and at what time.
