asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that on May 10th, 1934, the chief medical inspector of his Department discussed with a deputation from Kilkenny County Board of Health a proposal to expend £10,000 on the reconstruction of Castlecomer District Hospital; whether he is further aware that up to the present moment no report arising out of these discussions has been transmitted by his Department to the board of health, and that no indication has been given that his Department is prepared to facilitate the county board of health in carrying out this necessary work, and whether he is in a position now to state what steps will be taken by his Department to enable the work of reconditioning the hospital in question to be carried out expeditiously.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Castlecomer District Hospital.
I am aware that the deputation referred to attended at the Department on the 10th May, 1934. The deputation urged the provision of a new hospital at Castlecomer and not the reconstruction of the district hospital. No communication was sent to the local authority following the discussion with the deputation for the reason that the views of the Department on the matter discussed were fully explained to the members of the deputation. It was made clear to the deputation that the more important work is the provision of an up-to-date county hospital at Kilkenny and that a considerable time would elapse before money would be available for a new hospital at Castlecomer.