andCasey asked the Minister for Health whether the South Cork Board of Public Assistance have submitted proposals to his Department in relation to a new nurses' home at St. Finbarr's hospital and, if so, what is the present position in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Nurses' Home.
asked the Minister for Health when he expects to be in a position to sanction the erection of the urgently needed hostel for nurses at St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork; and whether he has yet approved of the appointment of the quantity surveyor proposed by the South Cork Board of Public Assistance last September.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I will take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.
I have under consideration the proposal of the South Cork Board of Assistance to erect a nurses' home at St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork. I am examining this proposal in relation to the accommodation already available in the area generally. I hope to be able to clarify the position in the immediate future and I shall then communicate to the South Cork Board of Assistance my decision about the proposed nurses' home. In the meantime I have not conveyed any decision about the proposed appointment of a quantity surveyor.
Would the Minister convey to the Minister for Health the urgent necessity of dealing with this matter now and not in the future?
Is the Minister aware that this matter has been bandied in and out of the Department of Health for the last two or three years? It is about time we got somewhere with it. There is grave danger now that the training school for nurses which we have established there will have to be abandoned. I would like the Minister to convey that to the Minister, for Health.
I shall convey the views of both Deputies to the Minister.