asked the Minister for Health if he will state whether repeated applications have been received from and on behalf of the priests and people of Edenderry, County Offaly, pressing for the promised provision of a new district hospital and, further, if he will state what he now proposes to do or if he will carry out the scheme outlined by his predecessor many years ago and provide the money for the purpose referred to this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - District Hospital for Edenderry.
I am aware that a number of applications have been received in my Department for the provision of a new district hospital at Edenderry.
When the short-term programme of urgent hospital works was drawn up, the hospital needs of Edenderry were carefully considered. All the factors which would favour the immediate erection of a new hospital in the town were given the fullest weight, but having regard to available resources and the relevant urgency of other works already included in the programme it was not considered feasible to proceed with the Edenderry project.
I will, however, be prepared to reconsider this matter when a hospital building programme to follow that at present under way is being drawn up.
Is the Minister aware that when one of his predecessors, Dr. Ward, was in charge of the health section of the Local Government Department he agreed to a hospitalisation scheme for the provision of a new county hospital with fixed bed accommodation and for the provision of new district hospitals or the modernisation of the existing ones at the time and that he would provide all the money for that purpose? Will the Minister even agree—I hope he will—seeing that this case is so long under consideration, to meet a deputation consisting of the parish priest, Deputies for the area and the local representatives on the two local authorities for the purpose of coming to some decision on this matter?
That is a separate question.
Will the Minister agree to meet that deputation?
I would want to consider that. I think the local authorities have come to an agreement already on this.
No.