asked the Minister for Health if he will assure the public that no steps will be taken to close either the Glenties district mental hospital or the fever hospital at Donegal town.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Hospitals.
The short-term scheme of hospital projects for County Donegal provides for the erection of a new county hospital at Letterkenny, new district hospitals at Carndonagh and Dungloe, the reconstruction of Carndonagh fever hospital and the closing of Glenties district hospital. This scheme has been approved generally by the local authority and no representations have been received from them in regard to the closing of Glenties district hospital but this question will not arise for final decision until the new district hospital at Dungloe nears completion.
There is no proposal before my Department to close the Donegal fever hospital.
Of course, it is quite evident that there is a typist's error in the question. The question refers to the Glenties district hospital. The word "mental" is put in by mistake. I take it the Minister will receive representations, if made, regarding the closing of the Glenties district hospital?
The Deputy will understand that the whole scheme was contingent on the closing of the Glenties hospital.
I quite appreciate that.
That does not prevent it being considered.