asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that in December last the South Cork Board of Assistance awarded the contract for the erection of Youghal Cottage Hospital to the person submitting the lowest tender for the execution of the work; whether as the result of representations made to them by interested parties the board forwarded to his Department the papers and documents relating to the contract, and, if so, if he can state the reason for holding up this contract and if he is now prepared to intimate to the board that it may proceed with the work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Contract For Erection of Youghal Cottage Hospital.
The proposal to erect a new cottage hospital is associated with a scheme to utilise the workhouse buildings in which the present hospital is situated to provide additional accommodation for the auxiliary mental hospital. The utilisation of the buildings for this purpose would involve the erection of a new hospital on another site. The workhouse premises are at present being examined by the architects, and pending a final decision as to their suitability for mental hospital requirements, it has been considered advisable to defer the erection of a new cottage hospital. In the event of the premises being rejected as unsuitable, the necessity for a new cottage hospital will not arise.