§ MR. WEBB (Waterford, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland will he explain why the Local Government Board of Ireland have refused to sanction the increase of salary of £20 (from £100 to £120) per annum of Dr. Kenny, medical officer of the Tallow District, in the Lismore Union; is he aware that his district is the only one in the Union having two dispensaries, and that the number of tickets have greatly increased within the last few years; and in view of the fact that his predecessor enjoyed a salary of £120 per annum, and that he has been in the Poor Law service eleven years, and that the representatives of the ratepayers, who would have to pay half the additional salary, have repeatedly urged his claims to an increase, the Chief Secretary will suggest to the Local Government Board to re-consider their decision?
§ MR. JACKSONThe Local Government Board have felt it necessary to decline to sanction increases of salary except where the medical officer has had long service in the district, and where other circumstances exist which render an addition to the salary specially called for, such as a marked increase in the work since the date of the officer's appointment. The medical officer mentioned has been only some five years in his present district, nor did the Local Government Board as the result of their inquiry find that there were any other special circumstances in his case.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)As the predecessor of the present medical officer received the salary the Board refuses to sanction now, and as the work has increased very much, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to make further inquiry?
§ MR. JACKSONI know nothing about the circumstances of his predecessor; but, as I understand, the present medical officer has been in office only five years, and since his appointment there has been no increase of work.
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)Is it a fact that representatives of the ratepayers have unanimously in meeting recommended that the claim of the medical officer to an increase in salary should be acceded to?
§ MR. JACKSONI do not know.