asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are over 500 applications on the waiting list for sanatorium treatment in the city and county areas of Dublin; and if he will state when he hopes to provide them with adequate treatment and accommodation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sanatorium Treatment for Dublin Patients.
Mr. Byrne
I am aware that about 350 persons suffering from tuberculosis are on local authority lists in the Dublin City and County areas awaiting admission to sanatoria.
As the Deputy is aware, works are in progress at the various sanatoria in the neighbourhood of Dublin which will increase the bed accommodation at those institutions. The works are being pressed ahead as rapidly as possible. Further, the provision of a large sanatorium at Castlerea, County Roscommon, before the summer should, by providing facilities for first-class treatment for patients in the West of Ireland, release beds which would otherwise be occupied by patients from that area in sanatoria near Dublin. In addition, various alternatives for the provision of an additional sanatorium near Dublin have been under examination and considerable progress has been made. I hope to be in a position to make a further statement about this matter at an early date when the negotiations have reached a more advanced stage.