asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that there is a long waiting list for beds for tuberculosis patients seeking sanatorium treatment; and, if so, if he will state whether any efforts will be made to provide temporary accommodation for those now waiting and in need of early treatment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Accommodation for Tuberculosis Patients.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, every possible effort is being made to provide institutional accommodation for patients suffering from tuberculosis.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary answer the last part of the question which asks whether he will make arrangements to find temporary accommodation for those now waiting and in need of early treatment? I mean the 500 on the waiting list who require treatment at an early date.
We will do everything possible to provide institutional accommodation for patients suffering from tuberculosis.
When?
Everything possible, as soon as possible.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary not consider the advisability of taking over temporary accommodation and providing for those who are in need of it now and not those who will be in need of it in two or three years time? I am interested in the 500 who are on the waiting list.
The Deputy is not more interested in any tuberculosis patient than I am.
I want to get accommodation for those who are in their own homes and for those who are being sent out of hospital to die and have nowhere to go.
So do I.
I want to know if the Minister will get accommodation for them and not send them out of the hospitals and home to die.
The Minister will do everything possible to deal with the situation.
What will that be?
That is a different matter.
Otherwise, they will come out of the hospitals and have no where to go. That is happening in Dublin to-day.
The time will come shortly when the bed problem will be of no political use to the Deputy.
If the Parliamentary Secretary follows up that, I will have to ask for the protection of the Chair.