To ask the Minister for Local Government whether the estimate for the year 1923-24 in respect of the upkeep of the Cork Mental District Hospital as approved at a meeting of the Committee of Management on the 16th January was £116,300, whether the estimate submitted to the Committee by the Resident Medical Superintendent was £85,946, and whether at a special meeting of the Committee on January 26th the Committee decided that £60,740 would suffice, whether this last sum, representing a decrease of £55,560 on the original estimate would be inadequate and result in hardship to the patients, or whether in the past few years there has been extravagant expenditure and gross mismanagement.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - CORK MENTAL HOSPITAL FINANCES.
SEAN O DUINNIN
At a meeting of the Cork District Mental Hospital Committee held on the 15th January, the Resident Medical Superintendent reported that a sum of £116,300 would be necessary to meet the commitments of the Committee for the year 1923-1924. Consideration of the matter was deferred to a special meeting on the 25th January. Some misapprehension appears to have arisen locally, as it was not clearly understood that the amount of £116,300 was reducible by the estimated revenue for the year from paying patients and other sources, together with an estimated credit balance at bank on the 31st March, 1923, and in addition the amount of the Capitation Grant. The estimated expenditure was also reduced by £9,712 in view of lower costs. The net amount determined as payable by the contributory bodies was £79,510, of which £60,740 is referable to the Cork Hospital, and £18,770 to Youghal Auxiliary. The figure of £85,946 quoted in the question was the amount of the demand in respect of the Cork Hospital for 1922-1923, and was not, as stated, an estimate for the year 1923-24. The preparation of the estimate is a matter for which the Committee bear sole responsibility. Until I have an opportunity of looking into the figures on which the findings of the Committee were based an opinion cannot be expressed.