asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the names of the committee forming the Hospitals Bed Bureau, and their address; if he is aware that there is still a scarcity of bed accommodation in hospitals in Dublin for citizens, and if he can say when new accommodation is likely to be provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospitals Bed Bureau.
Mr. Byrne
It is presumed that the first part of the question has reference to the Advisory Committee appointed by the governing bodies of the hospitals to which the Hospitals Bureau relates. I am not in a position to give the particulars asked for in regard to that committee. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that last month and, again, in the middle of this month, there were about 200 vacant beds in nine general hospitals in the city. There were also 32 beds vacant at the end of January in three children's hospitals.
As regards the last part of the question, the reply is in the negative.
Mr. Byrne
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say whether these beds which, he says, are vacant are at the disposal of the citizens of Dublin? If there are cases requiring immediate attention, can the citizens of Dublin utilise those beds which, he says, are vacant, and which I have reason to believe are not held at the disposal of the citizens at the present moment?
I am not aware that the beds referred to are not at the disposal of the citizens.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, are we to understand that the hospital authorities have permission to fill all those beds by adult and children patients? My information is to the contrary.
I am not aware that there is any restriction whatever on them.
So then they can do it?
Mr. Byrne
Will the Parliamentary Secretary kindly make inquiries and let us know, when he has done so, whether Dublin citizens requiring attention, as well as some little time in hospital, will have those beds, which are now said to be vacant, placed at their disposal? I am anxious to know because my information is the direct opposite of that given by the Parliamentary Secretary. My information is that anyone requiring a bed at the moment cannot get it, in spite of the fact that the Parliamentary Secretary says the beds are vacant. I want to know why they are being kept vacant while you have sick people requiring hospital attention. I think the Parliamentary Secretary ought to reply to that. I do not say that the Parliamentary Secretary is deliberately deceiving the House when he says that there are beds vacant. I say they are not at the disposal of the public who require them.
My information is that the beds are vacant, and that they are at the disposal of the public.
Mr. Byrne
Immediately?
Immediately. That is my information. Now, as regards the difficulty of getting into those beds, I would suggest to the Deputy that he should establish contact with the Hospitals Bureau.
Mr. Byrne
Who are they and where can I get them? I asked that question and did not get the information.
The Deputy was present in the House when the Bill was passed through it establishing the Hospitals Bureau, and he must be aware that that Hospitals Bureau was established by the Hospitals Commission and is controlled by the Hospitals Commission. I am sure he can make contact with the Hospitals Commission.
Mr. Byrne
That is not the point. I tried to get, for public purposes, the names and addresses of the officers and of the place where Dublin citizens can apply to if they require hospital treatment.
To the Hospitals Bureau.
Mr. Byrne
But where are they? Who is the secretary, and where can I apply to him?
That is not the question on the Order Paper.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say if the information that he speaks of has been got from the same people who say that the farmers have petrol for their tractors?