asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his attention has been drawn to recent outbreaks of enteric and typhoid fever in Castletown-Berehaven, Co. Cork, resulting in the death of some patients; whether he is aware that in one case a patient had died before trained nurses had arrived to take charge of the cases; whether he is further aware that hospital accommodation at the County Home, Clonakilty, is over ninety miles away, and whether, seeing that the local hospital at Castletown-Berehaven is occupied by National Troops, to the serious detriment of the sick poor of the district, and that the local Medical Officer of Health has intimated his intention of resigning if the above state of affairs is allowed to continue, the Minister will state what steps he intends to take to provide suitable accommodation for the sick poor of the district.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - FEVER OUTBREAKS (CO. CORK).
The question of hospital accommodation in this district has been engaging the attention of the Commissioner. I am not in possession of the full facts. If the Deputy will be so good as to put the question down for a later date, I hope to be able to obtain full information.
Mr. MURPHY
May I point out to the Minister that the matter is extremely urgent, that representations have been made from time to time to his Department about the matter, and that the lives of the people in that district are at stake?
I will not be in a position to take any action until I hear from the Commissioner.