§ MR. KILBRIDEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the petition from the people of the electoral divisions of St. Finians, Ballinskelligs, Teereneragh, and Emlagh, in the Caherciveen Poor Law Union, to the Local Government Board, asking for the appointment of a dispensary doctor, has been brought under his notice; whether he is aware that the petition was referred to the Caherciveen Board of Guardians; that the local dispensary committee unanimously decided in its favour; and that the Direct United States Cable Company guaranteed £40 a year towards 151 the salary of the doctor; and whether, owing to the growing importance of the district, the great distance at which the present medical officer resides from it, and the small cost to the Local Government Board, the Government will take into favourable consideration the prayer of the petitioners?
§ MR. MADDENThe Local Government Board gave careful consideration to the suggested appointment of a second Medical Officer to the Emlagh dispensary district. There was no evidence that the existing arrangements resulted in hardship to the sick poor, and the Board pointed out that any inconvenience now felt in the district could be met by arranging for a more frequent attendance of the present Medical Officer there. The Local Government Board would not feel justified in sanctioning the proposed additional appointment, as it would involve the possible sanction of similar appointments in dispensary districts having similar areas.
§ MR. KILBRIDEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the extra cost will be only £30 a year, that the Cable Company have guaranteed £40, and that the present Medical Officer lives over 15 miles from the district?
§ MR. MADDENI have not the slightest doubt that all these matters were put before the Local Government Board when the inquiry was made.