asked the Minister for Health if he will state what progress has been made regarding the reconstruction of the old sanatorium in Monaghan for use as a fever hospital, and also what is the position regarding proposals to provide hospital accommodation for Carrickmacross and Clones.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Accommodation in Monaghan.
Preliminary examination of plans for the conversion of the old sanatorium, Monaghan, to a county fever hospital has been carried out in my Department, but further documents are needed before this examination can be completed. I understand that these documents will be forwarded by the local authority in the very near future.
When the old sanatorium at Monaghan becomes available for patients, it is proposed to transfer thereto patients from the Carrickmacross and Clones Fever Hospitals and to convert those institutions to district hospitals. Plans for the conversion of Carrickmacross Fever Hospital to a district hospital were received in my Department some time ago but their examination was deferred pending a clarification of the position which had arisen in regard to the compulsory acquisition of land for the hospital and certain other matters relating to the accommodation of fever patients in the county. These matters have been disposed of and the plans are at present under examination in my Department.
No proposals have yet been received in regard to Clones Fever Hospital.
May I ask if the delay is due to the failure of the local authority to send on the necessary plans, or is the delay due to the Department?
I am afraid there are delays on both sides.