asked the Minister for Health if he will make available a 100 per cent. grant in respect of the full cost of provision of the Offaly Health Clinic at Tullamore.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tullamore Health Clinic.
Grants representing two-thirds of the total cost are being made available for county clinics in all areas including County Offaly. In view of the present commitments on the Hospitals' Trust Fund, I do not propose to make available a 100 per cent. grant for the county clinic at Tullamore.
Surely a genuine case can be made for a 100 per cent. grant in this connection, in view of the fact that the Offaly County Council now find they will have to contribute to a nurse's home in Tullamore and that they have already had to do repairs to the hospital in Birr and also in Edenderry? Would he consider making a special grant in this case, in view of the fact that the county council have done more than their share by way of providing for the repair, upkeep and maintenance of institutions?
I am afraid the position in Offaly is not exceptional. Many counties are providing nurses' homes without any grant whatever.