asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the necessity for special homes for poor persons disabled by bodily infirmity or old age who are not classed as normal district hospital patients; and if so, if he will consider utilising empty buildings, such as Macroom Fever Hospital, so as to make available for such people, in the several board of health areas in Cork, homes on the lines already provided for in North Cork by the Nazareth Home at Mallow.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Homes for Aged and Infirm.
Poor persons disabled by bodily infirmity or old age who are not classed as normal district hospital patients are generally accommodated in county homes and, as I stated during the debate on the Estimates for my Department, I will favour any proposal from any local authority aimed at providing a more congenial home for those old people, as well as making provision for the various other classes of persons at present accommodated in county homes.
I may add that the utilisation of the Macroom Fever Hospital as a health centre is under consideration.