Typed letter to + James Staunton, Ferns, from Richard Mulcahy. The present system of rating teachers ‘Efficient’ and ‘Highly Efficient’ is to be discontinued. Teachers reported to be doing satisfactory work would be entitled to proceed to the appropriate maximum salaries.

Typed letter to + James Staunton, Ferns, from Miceal Breathnach, informing him that a copy of this letter and memorandum is being sent to +McQuaid and Canon McNamara of the Catholic School Managers.

Three copies of a typed letter to the Taoiseach, Mr. Costello, from + James Staunton, Bishop of Ferns, Secretary to the Hierarchy, regarding the Mother and Child health service. They recognize that the proposals are motivated by the sincere desire to improve public health, but the Hierarchy must consider whether the proposals are in accordance with Catholic moral teaching. The following points were mentioned: the powers taken by the State are in direct opposition to the rights of the family; the right to provide for the health of children belongs to parents, not the State; it is not sound policy to impose a state medical service on the whole community; the right to provide for the physical education of children belongs to the family; gynecological care may be interpreted to include provision for birth limitation and abortion; the proposed service destroys the confidential relation between the doctor and patient.

Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from + James Staunton, Ferns. His first reading of the Health Bill did not disclose to him anything that calls for an Episcopal statement. He takes it that the new Bill withdraws into the Mother and Child section of the 1947 Act.

Copy of the letter to + Staunton, Ferns, Summerhill, Wexford.

Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from + Staunton, Ferns, regarding the material benefits for the higher income group in the Scheme.

Typed letter to +McQuaid from Seamus O’Neill enclosing a copy of the letter sent to + Staunton, Ferns, regarding the question of the retirement of members of Religious communities teaching in Capitation National Schools on reaching the age of sixty-five.

Copy of typed letter to + Staunton, Bishop of Ferns, from P.J. Delaney, Medical Secretary, I. M. A. The Irish Medical Association is opposed to the Proposals for improved and extended Health Services contained in the White Paper. The Proposals visualise State control of the medical profession and medical services; the Association is opposed to the provision of medical services free of direct charge to those who are able to pay or contribute towards the cost of these services.

Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from + James Staunton, Ferns. Suggests the Minister’s letter and memorandum needs no statement from the Bishops.

Letter from +Dunne to +McQuaid regarding an invitation to the Archbishop from Mgr. Browne of Ferns to sing the Mass or give the Panegyric at the Month’s Mind of +James Staunton. Annotated by +McQuaid.