asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that the present hospital accommodation in Clonmel is inadequate; and, if so, whether he will provide the maximum grant to Clonmel District Hospital to enable the necessary extensions to be added to the present building.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tipperary Hospital Accommodation.
I am not aware that the position is as indicated by the Deputy except in the case of accommodation for tuberculosis cases. There is need for improvements to the institution and a scheme for these improvements was suggested by my Department to the local authority last November. This scheme includes provision of ten extra beds for tuberculosis cases. The extra accommodation can be provided without extending the building.
The local authority have been informed that a sum slightly in excess of £1,000 available in the Sanatorium Grant Fund may be applied towards meeting part of the cost of this work. I regret that owing to the heavy commitments on the Hospitals' Trust Fund I am not in a position to supplement this by authorising a grant from that fund.
asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that in 1933 under the hospitalisation scheme for Tipperary (S.R) provision was made for the erection of a cottage hospital at Slieveardagh, but that due to the outbreak of hostilities and the consequent scarcity of building materials the scheme had to be deferred; and, if so, whether he will now arrange for the erection of this hospital at the earliest possible date.
I am aware that the establishment of a cottage hospital for the Slieveardagh area was agreed to in 1932. I am sure the Deputy will be surprised to hear that no progress was made with the project before the war —a site was not even acquired. On reviewing the outstanding hospital building proposals preparatory to the settlement of the short-term building programme, I decided that this project should be deferred for consideration when a succeeding programme is being settled, and the local authority were informed accordingly on 10th August, 1948.
I can assure the Deputy that when the present programme of works is nearing completion, the case for the inclusion of this project in the further building programme will be fully considered.