asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state (1) the estimated cost of the erection of a new fever hospital at Abbeyleix; (2) whether the full amount will be provided from Hospitals Trust Funds; (3) the date on which he sanctioned the contract; (4) what steps he has taken or proposes to take to compel the Board of Health concerned to give possession of the proposed site to the contractor in order to enable the latter to commence work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fever Hospital at Abbeyleix.
(1) Precise information as to the estimated cost is not yet available. Tenders have already been accepted for the erection of the buildings and the installation of lighting and heating systems at a total cost of £35,963 18s. 6d. To this figure must be added architect's and quantity surveyor's fees, the remuneration of the clerk of works, and any expenditure on extra works which may be found necessary.
2. A contribution of two-thirds of the cost of the work will be made from the Hospitals Trust Fund, but in calculating the amount credit will be given for the capital expenditure already incurred by the local authority on improvements to the county institutions.
3. The acceptance of the tender for the lighting installation was approved on the 22nd November, 1933; for the building work on the 15th December, 1933; and for the heating installation on the 8th March, 1934.
4. The demolition of the workhouse buildings involves the provision of alternative accommodation for the staff and patients in the premises. Every effort is being made to induce the local authority to proceed with the alternative arrangements suggested so that work may be commenced without delay.
Is it correct to say that proposals for the provision of alternative office accommodation for the board of health staff were submitted to your Department in the early part of last January and up to recently no reply had been sent to the board?
The board were instructed on 26th ultimo to proceed with the provision of alternative accommodation. There is no information as to what action, if any, the board of health have taken on that matter.