asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if, in view of the fact that many years have passed since a new hospital was promised for 30 patients in Birr, he is now prepared to sanction the proposal and to allow the board to submit plans, etc., with a view to initiating the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Birr Hospital Scheme.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he has satisfied himself that the conditions under which the sick patients in Birr hospital are treated are suitable and proper; and, furthermore, if he will state why he refused to hear a representative deputation from South Offaly with reference to the necessity of a new hospital.
I propose to take together the Deputy's two questions regarding Birr hospital. The reply to the first question is in the negative. The present commitments of the Hospitals Trust Fund would not permit of the immediate erection of all the institutions which it is proposed ultimately to provide. In the circumstances the reception of the deputation referred to in the second question would not have served any useful purpose. A committee of the Offaly Board of Health which inspected Birr hospital about a year ago reported that it could be put into perfect repair with a small outlay. Certain repairs and alterations were recently recommended by the board's engineer, and if the board would adopt those proposals it is likely that the hospital accommodation could be made suitable for a long time to come.
Do I understand from the Parliamentary Secretary that the answer to question No. 9 is that the hospital scheme cannot now be proceeded with?
That is so.
Were not both the condition of the funds and the condition of the hospital fully investigated before the promise was made some six years ago?
The position of the fund at the moment might not be as satisfactory as was anticipated.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary give any explanation as to why the hospital scheme was not sanctioned any time within the past six years?
I think I have answered that.
I did not catch the answer.
We considered that the county hospital was of primary importance. We could not carry out the provision of all the institutions in the county at the same time. There are a good many counties in which no hospital provision has been made out of the Hospitals' Fund. We proceeded with the Tullamore County Hospital, believing that it was of primary importance.