28. Captain CRAIGasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the action of the guardians of the New Ross Union in exempting the nuns in their employment in the workhouse infirmary from the operation of the National Insurance Act; whether other boards of guardians employing nuns are similarly exempting them; and whether the same exemption can be extended to all other hospital nurses in Ireland?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe nuns employed by the New Ross Union are not at present excepted, and their insurance cards for the last quarter have been duly stamped. The union are now in communication with the Commissioners with a view to the exception of their officials (including these nuns) under Schedule I., Part II. Such exception, if granted, would depend on the terms of their employment under this union, and would afford no ground for a general exception of all hospital nurses in Ireland, which the Commissioners have, no power to grant under the Act.