asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he has received a protest from the Carrick-on-Suir Urban Council, and from others on behalf of the people of the district, against the proposed closing of the Carrick-on-Suir District Hospital; and if he will state by whom and for what purpose the proposal was made, and what steps he has taken or proposes to take to prevent the closing of this hospital.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Carrick-on-Suir and Clogheen District Hospitals.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he has received a protest, on behalf of the people of the Clogheen district, County Tipperary, against the proposed closing of the Clogheen District Hospital; if he will state for what purpose such a proposal has been made, and by whom; and what steps he has taken or proposes to take to prevent the closing of this hospital.
As the considerations involved in each case are practically identical I propose to take questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.
I have received no protest of the nature specified. I understand, however, that protests were received by the county council in regard to the suggested closure of these hospitals.
The question of hospital accommodation at Carrick-on-Suir and Clogheen is associated with the general problem of the hospital needs of Tipperary S.R. County in regard to which recommendations were submitted to the county council by the county manager following consultation with my Department. These recommendations provided, inter alia, for the discontinuance of Carrick-on-Suir and Clogheen District Hospitals as district institutions. The county council have submitted an amended hospitalisation scheme for the county under which it is proposed that the existing district hospitals in these areas be retained.
I have asked the Hospitals Commission to investigate and report on the hospital position generally in the county and pending the receipt of a report from the commission no definite decision will be taken. The Deputy may rest assured that full consideration will be given to local wishes consistent with the wider question of providing a rationalised hospital system in the county.
Will the Minister say that no change will be made in the position of Carrick-on-Suir and Clogheen without a local public inquiry that will enable the local interests to be fully and publicly examined?
I have not said that. What I have said is that I have asked the Hospitals Commission to investigate the matter and report on the hospital position in the county generally and that pending the receipt of that report no definite decision will be taken.
Will the Minister say in what way and whether by any statutory function the Hospitals Commission comes into the consideration of this matter at all?
Under the Hospitals Act. That is one of the purposes for which the commission was established.