§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state why the Local Government Board refuse to sanction the appointment of Dr. Clarke as temporary medical officer for the Ballinagh dispensary district; how near to this district does Dr. Clarke reside; has Dr. Clarke at present any dispensary; who has been in charge of this district for the past three months, and what appointments does he hold, distinguishing those which are temporary from the permanent appointments; and will this matter have his special attention in the interest of the sick poor of the district.
§ MR. CHERRYThe appointment of Dr. Clarke as temporary medical officer for the Ballinagh dispensary district was objected to on the ground that his residence was outside the dispensary district, and was inconvenient for the sick poor. The nearest point of the dispensary district is about three miles, and the most remote nine miles, from Cavan, where 85 Dr. Clarke lives. The Local Government Board have not sanctioned the appointment of Dr. Clarke as the medical officer for any dispensary district. Dr. Clarke has been acting as temporary medical officer for the Ballinagh dispensary district since the 18th June last, but without the sanction of the Board. He has also been appointed as temporary medical officer of the Kilnaleck and Stradone dispensary districts, but the Board have had to object to those appointments upon the same grounds. The guardians, by their action in continuing to employ Dr. Clarke, may render themselves liable to surcharge for any payments they may make for his salary. Dr. Clarke has further been appointed as temporary medical officer of Cavan Workhouse from 7th instant to 4th proximo, and to this appointment the Board have given their sanction.