asked the Minister for Health if a decision has yet been reached on the proposed sanatorium at Santry Court; and if so, the nature of such decision.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Proposed Sanatorium at Santry Court.
In reply to a question on this subject on the 27th March I intimated that work under the site development contract had been suspended pending consideration of the advisability of proceeding with the establishment of the sanatorium on the Santry Court site. I added that certain circumstances arose which prevented the work being carried out.
The circumstances referred to are the unforeseen development of air traffic at Collinstown Airport which has rendered it necessary to provide facilities for the accommodation of aircraft of the heaviest type. This has necessitated the provision of new and extended runways to permit transcontinental aircraft to land and take off at the airport. Santry Court is located within a few miles of Collinstown. The extension of the runways and the use of them by very heavy aircraft might involve danger to the patients in a sanatorium in close proximity to the airport in the possible event of any aircraft meeting with mishap. It is clear, however, that the noise caused by heavy aircraft passing frequently over the sanatorium at low altitudes would be injurious to the health of patients suffering from a disease for which rest is of primary importance. I have carefully considered these matters and I am advised that I would not be justified in establishing the sanatorium in such close proximity to the extended airport.
Negotiations for the acquisition of an alternative site are at present in progress. While the abandonment of Santry Court will result in delay in the completion of the work, such delay will not be as great as might appear, since it is considered that the buildings designed for the Santry Court site should require no extensive modifications if they are located on the alternative site, the acquisition of which is being negotiated.
In view of the delay which has occurred, I have taken special measures to provide at an early date additional patients' accommodation in existing institutions. This additional accommodation will total approximately 370 beds.
The plans of the pavilions which have been completed in the Department have been placed at the disposal of the authorities of Peamount and Newcastle Sanatoria and it has been agreed that three such pavilions, containing a total of 120 beds, will be provided at Peamount Sanatorium, while two more, containing 80 beds, will be erected at Newcastle. Tenders for the work at Peamount have been accepted and the contractor has undertaken to complete the work in stages, so that one pavilion will be completed in six months, while the entire work will be completed in approximately 15 months. It is expected that the 80 beds at Newcastle will be completed in approximately the same time.
Sixty extra beds will be provided for tuberculous persons in the Hardwicke Hospital. The plans for the work have been approved and tenders will be invited within a week or so. The estimated time for completion is nine months. A further 43 beds are being made available in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Dún Laoghaire. The plans have been completed and tenders for the work invited so that the project will proceed almost immediately. The Dublin City Manager has intimated that he proposes to take immediate steps to accommodate 64 extra patients in the new ward block at Rialto Hospital.
Every effort will be made to expedite the completion of the regional sanatorium but it will be appreciated that very considerable difficulties are being encountered in carrying out building projects of this nature.