asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that as a consequence of the passing of the Public Charitable Hospitals Act, 1930, the purpose of which was to assist voluntary hospitals, and the subsequent success of the Hospitals Sweepstakes, public subscriptions to the various voluntary hospitals have practically ceased; that amongst the hospitals receiving assistance under the sweepstakes were the voluntary hospitals of St. John's and Barrington's in the City of Limerick; that the Hospitals Commission did not recommend the making of any further large grants to these hospitals which as a result may be compelled to close down; that the citizens of Limerick are united in opposition to any such happening, in which event the City of Limerick would be without a general hospital within its boundary; and, if so, if he will take steps to ensure that the wishes of the citizens in regard to the hospitalisation of the City of Limerick are not overridden.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Hospitals.
Several representations have been made to me in regard to the subject matter of this question. In the first place, I would like to say that the Deputy would have set out the position in a fairer manner if, besides stating what the Hospitals Commission did not recommend, he stated what the commission did recommend, viz.: the establishment of a fully equipped hospital in or near the City of Limerick which would meet not only the needs of the City and County of Limerick but serve as a regional hospital for a wider area. The Deputy has also not been quite just in referring to the Hospitals Commission as not recommending the making of any further large grants to the two hospitals referred to. As a matter of fact, since the commission made their recommendation in favour of a regional hospital, payments have been made out of the Hospitals Trust Fund on the recommendation of the commission to one of these hospitals in respect of deficits in their annual accounts. I am satisfied that when the recommendation of the Hospitals Commission has been given effect to the new regional hospital will provide ample medical and surgical facilities within the area it is intended to serve.
Arising out of the reply by the Parliamentary Secretary, I want to ask if he is aware that an unprecedented situation will be created in the City of Limerick if these two hospitals are forced to close down? Would the Minister permit such a happening in Dublin, Cork or any other city?
There is no question of forcing these two hospitals to close down. As a matter of fact, as I told the Deputy in my reply, the deficit in respect of one of these Limerick hospitals has been paid for the years 1933 to 1937. This deficit for the period amounts to £2,858. The question at issue is whether the hospitals should be so extended as to meet the entire needs of the area they serve. It is not intended to force them to extend the hospitals nor is it intended to close them down. The Department's policy is not to close them but to provide a regional hospital to meet the needs of the area. I am sure the Deputy is aware that one of these institutions— the St. John's Hospital—so far as my information goes, deals entirely with private patients, and no application for the payment of deficit has been received from that institution by the Hospitals Commission.
Is not the Minister aware that at the moment those hospitals find extreme difficulty in carrying on owing to the refusal of sufficient maintenance grants from the Hospitals Trust?
That is not so. The Deputy is misinformed.
Is not the Minister aware that a public meeting was held in Limerick in regard to this, that it was attended by members of every sect, every religion, and every division of politics, and that they were all united in opposition to the proposal?
I am aware that the people of Limerick City and of Limerick County want a regional hospital provided in that area, but the Deputy is entirely misinformed when he states that we have refused to pay deficits. The question at issue is the question of permitting those hospitals further to extend, but we have never refused to pay deficits.
Is the Minister not aware that the proposed hospital will be three miles outside Limerick, and that the citizens of Limerick are united in opposition to any proposal which will result in having patients from the centre or any other part of the city going out three miles to a hospital, and their relatives forced to go three miles to visit them? In fact, would not the Minister himself be opposed to any such happening say in Dublin, if the citizens of Dublin were forced to go to Clondalkin or Raheny to attend a hospital?
I am not aware that the regional hospital will be situated three miles outside Limerick. I think on that issue the Deputy is misinformed, too. Again, I would remind the Deputy that he is entirely misinformed when he states that the people of Limerick do not want this regional hospital.
To cut it short, will the Minister agree to receive representations of the citizens of Limerick, and of the hospitals, to discuss the whole question of hospitalisation in Limerick?
I will be quite happy at any time to receive any representations which the people of Limerick may desire to make, but it does not necessarily follow that we will receive a deputation. At any rate, representations can be made in writing in the first instance, and, if it is necessary or any useful purpose will be served by receiving a deputation, well, then, a deputation will be received.
Does the Minister say he will refuse to receive a deputation of the citizens of Limerick?
No.
I understood the Minister to say he would receive representations in writing?
Yes.
But that he will not receive a deputation?
I cannot accept the Deputy's interpretation of my remarks.
Will the Minister receive a deputation representative of the citizens of Limerick and of the hospitals?
Provided I am satisfied that some useful purpose will thereby be served.