asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his attention has been drawn to an advertisement issued by the Dublin Board of Assistance offering appointments to nurses; if he is aware that, in the conditions of service laid down for these appointments, nurses living out are to be paid the sum of 10/- a week as a rent allowance; if he is further aware that this rent allowance is completely inadequate; and if he will direct that the board offer adequate wages and substantially increased rent allowances to these nurses and to others similarly appointed.

The Deputy presumably refers to the recent advertisement inviting applications for appointments as temporary nurses at St. Clare's Hospital, Ballymun Road, Glasnevin. The conditions of appointment require the nurses to reside outside the institution, but an allowance of £25 per annum is granted in lieu of residence. This emolument is in accordance with the usual allowance granted by the Dublin Board of Assistance in such cases, and in the circumstances, I do not propose to take action as suggested by the Deputy.

Is the Minister aware that it is not possible to get a room in a tenement house for 10/- a week in Dublin at present? Will he say where these nurses are to be accommodated for 10/- a week? I say that it is not possible to get a room for 10/- a week and under these circumstances will he consider increasing the allowance?

As I informed the Deputy, I do not propose to interfere. I draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that the basic salary of nurses is £81 per annum, emergency bonus £18 4s. Od., allowance in lieu of residence £25, allowance for uniform £9, value of meals £52, and there is an extra £10 per annum for registered sick children's nurses, making a total of £185 per annum. I think the salary is not unreasonable.

Is the Minister aware that a room cannot be got in the area for 10/- a week and under the circumstances will he have the rent allowance increased?

No.

I must say that the conditions regarding the nurses' allowances are no credit to the country.