asked the Minister for Health if he will state what quantities of stone would have been required had the window sills for the regional sanatorium, Merlin Park, Galway, and for the extension to Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, been of cut stone and the estimated cost.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stone Window Sills.
Mr. Brady
The quantity of stone that would have been required for window sills of cut stone at the regional sanatorium, Merlin Park, Galway, would be 2,810 cubic feet at an estimated cost of £23,600
I am informed that 2,700 cubic feet of stone, estimated to cost £10,889, would have been required for window sills of cut stone at Portiuncula Hospital. I would point out to the Deputy that whereas the regional sanatorium is being built under my direction I have not interfered with the detailed planning or use of materials for the work at Portiuncula Hospital beyond stipulating as a condition of the grant from the Hospitals Trust Fund for this work that the materials to be used should as far as possible be of Irish manufacture. For that reason I am not in a position to make any proper comparison of the estimated cost figures given above.
Mr. Brady
Would the Minister state if he is prepared to go as far as the Minister for Local Government in recommending the use of stone even for window-sills in public buildings rather than imported cement?
I think, listening to the Minister for Local Government, that he stated that were the increased cost not significant——
Mr. Brady
That is what I am asking.
——he would recommend the use of granite. I would of course be prepared to do the same, were it not for the fact that in the Merlin Park job, for instance, the additional cost I understand would work out at something in the region of £20,000. That is quite a considerable sum.
Is the Minister prepared to give the same preference in regard to the employment of Irish workers, skilled technicians and foremen, as he indicated he is prepared to give in respect to the use of Irish materials in the construction of this hospital?
I do not know if that is intended as a serious supplementary question.
It is a very serious supplementary question because I am informed that no Irishman need apply for an administrative job there.