asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of the need for a new dispensary with adequate accommodation at Naas; and, if so, if he will state what steps are being taken to provide a proper dispensary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Naas Dispensary.
I am aware that the dispensary accommodation in Naas is unsuitable. This dispensary is included in the dispensary replacement programme of the Kildare County Council, and I am awaiting the specific proposals of the local authority as to the site.
In view of the fact that this place is a quagmire and that folk who go there with one disability usually come away with two because of being compelled to wait in the rain and cold, would the Minister press the local authority to submit their proposals to him as early as possible?
My Department has been pressing them since 1950 but so far they have not succeeded in getting any results. For a while we thought that Kildare County Council would agree to have the dispensary included in the clinic but some time ago they changed their minds and said they would build the clinic separately and also proceed to build a dispensary.
In the meantime these unfortunate people have to wait in the rain.
I know that.
In view of the fact that this matter has been under consideration for nearly four years will the Minister now endeavour to bring pressure to bear on whoever is responsible for the abnormal delay?
All we can do is wait for the proposals of the local authority.
If the Minister had produced a schedule of requirements going more into practical reasons instead of being in the sky there would not have been the difficulties which there have been in County Kildareabout the erection of dispensaries all over the county.
A schedule of requirements?
It was for a palace according to the plan you sent down, not in regard to the Naas dispensary but dispensaries all over the county.
I am surprised at that because in the Department we have been advocating a modest style of dispensary.
You approved of amended plans which saved £400 on the dispensary at Kilcullen, which was satisfactory.
I will always approve of anything like that.
That is the cause of the delay.
The cause of the delay was that I was not asked to approve of them before that.