asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that a number of poor persons, residing in the Edenderry area, Offaly, were caused considerable inconvenience and expense during the past few years owing to the failure of the local authority to provide a maternity ward in the district hospital there; if he has received any report or recommendation from the county manager or county medical officer for health on this question; and if he will state what action, if any, he has taken or proposes to take to provide a modern maternity ward in this hospital.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Accommodation in Offaly.
It is a fact that maternity cases from Edenderry area have in the past been accommodated in the County Hospital, Tullamore, while accommodation for such cases has not yet been available at Edenderry District Hospital. Provision was made for accommodation for maternity cases in an approved scheme for improving the hospital at Edenderry in the year 1941. It is understood, however, from correspondence with the county manager, that the equipping of the ward proposed to be used for such cases could not be undertaken owing to conditions arising out of the emergency. As the difficulties in connection with the provision of equipment are not now so acute, it has been intimated to the local authority that they should now be in a position to make provision for the reception of maternity cases at this hospital.