asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state, in respect of each administrative area in the country, and of the country as a whole, the total number of cases of tuberculosis, the number of cases awaiting admission for institutional treatment, the number of beds available for tuberculosis patients, and the number of such beds occupied.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tuberculosis Statistics.
A statement is being prepared and will be sent to the Deputy showing the total number of cases of tuberculosis in the country which received treatment under approved tuberculosis schemes in the year 1943, and the number of tuberculous cases awaiting admission for institutional treatment on the 30th September, 1944. It is not possible to state the actual total number of cases of tuberculosis in the country. As regards the number of beds available for tuberculous patients, it is not practicable to segregate these in respect of each administrative area in the country because there are three central institutions, namely, Peamount Sanatorium, Newcastle Sanatorium and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Dun Laoghaire, which provide accommodation for patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis from a number of the administrative areas. The total number of beds in these institutions is 567. There are also five central institutions which receive cases of non-pulmonary tuberculosis from various areas in the country. These institutions contain 407 beds. In addition 1,876 beds are reserved or are available as required for tuberculous patients in local sanatoria, district hospitals, or general institutions throughout the country.
The statement which is being prepared will show the actual number of beds provided by local authorities for tuberculous cases in local sanatoria and other institutions under their control. The total number of beds occupied at the 30th September, 1944, is recorded as 2,734 but for the reason already given it is not possible to make a segregation as between each administrative area.
May I assume that the Parliamentary Secretary is not including in that schedule the 4,000 beds in local county hospitals which may be scheduled as available for tubercular patients under the earlier Tuberculosis Acts, if necessity should arise?
No.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree to publish the statement in the Official Report?
A copy will be sent to the Deputy.