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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Mar 1936

Vol. 60 No. 15

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tenders for County Hospital, Tullamore.

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he has received representations from the Offaly Board of Health pressing him to sanction the tender for the erection, in stone, of the proposed County Hospital at Tullamore; and whether he now intends to comply with the request of the Board of Health and other local bodies concerning this matter or state when he hopes to be in a position to do so.

No representation has been received from the Offaly Board of Health and Public Assistance pressing the Minister to sanction the latest tender received by them for the erection of this hospital in stone, except their resolution accepting the tender could be regarded as a representation. In that resolution the board accepted the lowest tender subject to the sanction of the Minister and added that, in the event of the Minister considering the price too high as compared with that for concrete, the contractor submitting the tender and the architect should be asked to meet and adjust the figure according to the Minister's wishes. The position is at present being examined to see how far the price can be reduced, and the matter will be decided by the Minister at the earliest possible moment. Any representations in the matter made by other local authorities will be dealt with on their merits.

Is it a fact that this contract was advertised about nine months ago and that this reconsideration has been going on since and will the Parliamentary Secretary say when he hopes to make it possible for work to begin by giving sanction?

The position is as stated by the Deputy. It is also a fact that the cost per bed of building these hospitals is going up enormously. Last year, such a hospital could be built at a cost of about £750 per bed. The lowest tender we got for construction in stone, even as a result of the second advertisement, works out at £1,230 per bed. The Deputy will understand that, in such circumstances, we have to proceed fairly carefully.

Is that any bigger than the original estimate?

It is coming down.

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