§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that, since the passing of "The Medical Charities Act, 1852," the medical officer of the Rynn Dispensary of the Mohill Union has always resided in the district; whether the Dispensary Committee have now given permission to the doctor to live out of the district, and over ten miles from many parts thereof, and five miles from the dispensary residence built several years ago for the accommodation of the medical officer; whether this change must involve great delay in the doctor's attendance upon the sick poor of the district; whether a most suitable residence, quite close to the dispensary, could be obtained; whether there is an Act in existence enabling Committees to borrow money to build suitable residences for dispensary officers, so that they might live within their district; and, whether therefore the Local Government Board has sanctioned the proposed change of residence; and, if so, on what grounds?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the medical officer has been allowed to make a change in his place of residence as stated. The members of the Dispensary Committee were almost unanimous in recommending it. It was urged by the doctor, both on the ground that his former residence was unsuitable, and that he would have greater facility for seeing the sick poor of the district generally, if allowed to make the change desired. If a map of the district is studied, it will be seen that this allegation may very well 2074 be correct. The Local Government Board has consented to the arrangement, solely on the condition that, if it is found inconvenient to the sick poor, the doctor must return to his former residence. There is an Act giving borrowing powers for the purpose of erecting a residence, which could be taken advantage of, if necessary.