asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the proposed arrangements as regards the Listowel District Hospital.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - LISTOWEL DISTRICT HOSPITAL.
SEAMUS O CRUADHLAOICH
The existing County Scheme for Kerry, as it appears in the Schedule to the Local Government (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1923, provides for the establishment of a County Home at Killarney, a County Hospital at Tralee, and small local branch hospitals, for urgent cases only, in other parts of Kerry, to be set up as might be decided upon. After the passing of the Act referred to, the Ministry proceeded to revise the County Schemes on a general plan throughout the country, with a view to putting them on a legally workable basis and introducing uniformity. The Act provided that a month's notice of an intended revision should be given to the County Councils concerned. At the time the notice was served on the Kerry County Council it was not definitely known what branch hospitals it would be best to establish, and the notice made provision for a County Home and County Hospital at the places mentioned in the old scheme, and for such other institutions as the County Board of Health might deem desirable. Under this provision branch hospitals could be established as desired, subject to sanction. The County Board of Health, therefore, made application to have branch hospitals established at Cahirciveen, Kenmare, Dingle, and Listowel. They were notified that these proposals would be considered, and two inspectors have been sent down to report on the local require ments and the accommodation available. The Deputy may be assured that the whole matter will receive the fullest consideration, and I shall inform him as soon as a decision is arrived at.