asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that a scheme of reconstruction for the county home and hospital at Roscommon was submitted to his Department by the board of health in May, 1937, and that although reports by inspectors are repeatedly made regarding overcrowding, unsuitability of premises, non-segregation of patients and much-needed repairs, no sanction for the suggested reconstruction and improvement has yet been received; and if he will state what are the reasons for withholding sanction, and when a decision in the matter may be expected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roscommon County Home and Hospital.
The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A decision cannot definitely be reached on this matter until fuller information is available as to how many of the present inmates are likely to be transferred to other institutions that are in course of erection.
Mr. Brennan
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say if the board of health has been asked for that information within the last nine months? Is the Parliamentary Secretary not going to reply? Will the Parliamentary Secretary say if the Department has asked for that information from the Roscommon Board of Health?
I cannot give the Deputy a definite answer to that, but at any rate the information has not come to hand.
Mr. Brennan
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that when the estimates for these repairs were submitted to the Department, they included amongst other things new boilers; that one of the present boilers has been condemned by the insurance company, and that the board of health must forthwith install a new boiler, which will cost them about £1,000, and which will have to be thrown out again when the new scheme is being put into operation? Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that?
Might I inquire of the Parliamentary Secretary where he expected the information to come from if it was never asked for? Will the Parliamentary Secretary ask the board of health forthwith for that information if it has not been asked for already?