§ MR. SAMUEL YOUNG (Cavan, E.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of dispensary doctors in Ireland 1524 over the age of sixty-five; and whether he is aware of the number in the service, from the infirmities of age, incapable of efficiently discharging their duty to the poor; and will he take any steps to remedy this state of things.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Local Government Board have no information as to the number of dispensary doctors in Ireland who are over the age of sixty-five. In 1903 the Board ascertained that, out of a total of 810 medical officers, 77 had over 30 years service, and it is possible that a considerable proportion of these were advanced in years. The Board have no information as regards the second part of the Question, but doubtless there are medical officers in the service who would retire if they were entitled to a superannuation allowance.