asked the Minister for Health if he is yet in a position to furnish information on the conditions of service of the temporary medical officers employed in the psychiatric service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Psychiatric Service.
16.
According to returns furnished recently by health authorities, the number of medical officers at present employed in a temporary capacity in the grade of psychiatrist is now 42, against 51 in September last.
Of the 42, ten are on an incremental scale and four are married women in respect of whom general authority has been issued by me to enable health authorities to pay increments if they so desire. A further 15 have been employed for less than one year so that the question of increment has not yet arisen. Of the remaining 13, four are eligible to compete for permanent appointments if they so wish, two are in receipt of health authority pensions and four are over the age of 65 years. The longest period of employment at the minimum of the scale is 6½ years— the person concerned is well over the age of 65 years.
Could I ask the Minister in relation to the people who are over the age limit does he propose to allow them to get in on the incremental scale? It seems very unfair to keep them otherwise. If they are employed they should be permitted to come in on the incremental scale.
I am not quite certain of that. There is a very complicated table of people appointed under various heads and I am afraid I could not give a reply to the Deputy.