asked the Minister for Health when the regional general hospital building at Galway was (a) officially opened, and (b) formally handed over to the local authority; further, when it will be in use as a hospital.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Regional Hospital.
(a) Galway regional hospital was officially opened on 7th November, 1955. (b) The 40-bed children's unit was handed over by the building contractors to the county council on 1st July, 1955, and has been occupied since September, 1955. I understand that the main hospital block, which will accommodate 284 general medical and surgical cases, is to be handed over during the coming month and that arrangements are being made for the admission of patients in the week commencing 2nd April next. The local authority expect that the extension of the maternity block to accommodate an additional 20 gynaecological patients will be ready for handing over and occupation in a month's time.