asked the Minister for Health what the position is regarding the proposed extension to St. Brendan's Home, Loughrea, County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Extension to Loughrea Home.
2.
Proposals for the improvement, on a comprehensive scale, of St. Brendan's Home, Loughrea, were submitted recently to my Department and have been discussed with officers of the local authority and their professional consultants. These proposals envisage, inter alia, the erection of new buildings which would involve the local authority in heavy capital expenditure. Arising out of the discussion referred to, it has been suggested to the local authority that the scope of the proposed improvement scheme could be substantially reduced, with a corresponding saving in capital expenditure, if a number of patients from St. Brendan's Home, which is at present overcrowded, could be transferred to vacant accommodation elsewhere in the county. The local authority are considering the feasibility of this suggestion and as soon as a decision is reached every effort will be made to proceed with the scheme of improvements at St. Brendan's Home.