Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Mar 1938

Vol. 70 No. 9

Written Answers. - Cork Hospitals.

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that early in 1933 accommodation in Cork District Hospital for extra beds was found to be necessary, and that the South Cork Board of Assistance instructed their engineer to prepare plans for alterations to meet the requirements of the hospital; if he is further aware that in 1934 sanction was obtained for a new hospital within the grounds of the county home, plans being completed in 1936, but the building was not started owing to the proposal for a new general hospital, which the board adopted, dropping their original idea of extending the district hospital, with the result that conditions to-day in the Cork District Hospital are worse than they were in 1933, and if he will sanction the provision of extra accommodation even of a temporary character, until a more permanent building is made available.

I am aware of the steps taken by the South Cork Board of Public Assistance for the improvement of hospital facilities. It would be undesirable to incur expenditure on temporary buildings since a site has been selected for a new central hospital.

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he can state why plans for additions and alterations to the extern department of the South Cork Charitable Infirmary and County Hospital, which the Committee of Management instructed their architect to prepare, and which were submitted to the Hospitals Commission in 1936, have not been carried out; if he will state the reason for the delay, and whether sanction has been or will be given to the proposed additions and alterations.

The proposals are being considered by the Hospitals Commission in relation to other proposals for hospital facilities in Cork.

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if any moneys have been made available or will be made available by the Hospitals Commission for the erection of a new chapel and operation theatre in the Mercy Hospital, Cork, tenders for which were accepted in 1937.

A grant will be made available for an operation theatre.

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he has received any representations from the Committee of Management of the North Cork Charitable Infirmary and County Hospital on the question of new quarters for their nurses, who are at present housed in most unsuitable attics in the infirmary building, and if he proposes to sanction the amount necessary to proceed with the new building.

The representations are being considered by the Hospitals Commission.

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware (1) that the Committee of Management of the Cork District Mental Hospital decided in 1932 to build a new hospital for medical and surgical patients; (2) that plans were prepared in November, 1936, a quantity surveyor appointed, and several acres of land bought two years ago in Youghal for the new building proposed to be erected there, yet, so far, no start has been made to erect the new building; (3) if the plans for the proposed new hospital have been sanctioned by him; and, if not, whether sanction will be expedited.

As regards the first part of the question, the proposal made in 1932 by the Committee of Management, Cork Mental Hospital, was to convert the former workhouse premises at Youghal into a mental hospital. The proposal was not regarded as satisfactory and it was accordingly dropped. As regards the second and third parts, the plans have been discussed with the committee's architect and revised drawings were received on 21st January last. A decision thereon will be expedited as much as possible.

Top
Share