asked the Minister for Health if he will state (1) the total amount expended to date on the proposed Cork Regional Hospital in respect of (a) site acquisition, (b) site development, (c) architects' fees for various plans and specifications since the site was first acquired, and (d) any other expenditure incurred in respect of the hospital; (2) the amount of the total expenditure borne by (a) the local authority, (b) the State, and (c) Hospital Trust Fund grants; (3) the amount due at present to the local authority (South Cork Board of Public Assistance) in respect of such expenditure, and when payment will be effected; and (4) the present intentions of his Department in regard to the hospital, and whether it is intended to carry out or abandon the project.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Regional Hospital.
According to the latest return, furnished by the South Cork Board of Public Assistance on the 7th October, 1957, the total amount expended to that date on the Cork Regional Hospital project was approximately £56,881 against which must be offset a sum of approximately £1,340 received in respect of lettings of site lands. This amount is apportioned as follows under the headings mentioned by the Deputy:—
|
£ |
|
|
Site acquisition |
7,022 |
|
Site development |
8,903 |
|
Architects' fees |
33,000 |
|
Other expenditure |
7,956 |
The figure of other expenditure includes fees paid to the quantity surveyor, consultant engineers and the salary of the clerk of works.
As the project is a regional one, the full amount of the expenditure incurred by the local authority is being recouped from the Hospitals' Trust Fund. A small balance of grant of approximately £150 is due to the local authority. This amount will be included in a further payment to be made when the next application for an instalment of grant is received from the local authority.
As the Deputy is probably aware, I am engaged in a comprehensive review of the financial position in relation to the future hospital building programme. When this review has been completed, I shall inform the South Cork Board of Public Assistance of my decision in regard to the Cork Regional Hospital project.
Does the Minister not consider it high time for a decision, after 20 years, during which the only people who have been paid are the architects, who have got £33,000 for their drawings on paper?
The decision would be quite an easy one if I were in a position to say that the job could go ahead. I have no money and I do not know whether, if it did go ahead, its erection would be received with general approval in Cork.
Has the Department sanctioned the expenditure of further money on that site within the last 12 months?
It may have.
It may have, certainly.
When coming to a decision, will the Minister bear in mind the fact that at the present time it is practically impossible for a patient to get a bed in any of the hospitals in the City of Cork, owing to overcrowding?
Will the Minister also bear in mind that when this has been built he can take the whole population in there?
I hope they will not take it as much as that to heart.