asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of the urgent need of new dispensaries and the reconstruction of others in County Kildare; whether he has received proposals from the Kildare County Council on the matter; and when steps will be taken to provide the urgently required improvements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kildare Dispensaries.
I have received only two proposals from the Kildare County Council in regard to the provision of dispensary accommodation. These proposals envisaged the construction of new dispensaries at Leixlip and Kilcock. Although I am not aware that the urgency of proceeding with these proposals is significantly greater than it was under our predecessors, I have, in view of the substantial improvement which has taken place in the financial position since early last year, found it possible to approve of them.
Seeing that the Minister knows so little about the condition of dispensaries in the County Kildare, may I ask him whether he is aware of the fact that the Kildare County Council in 1953 — the Minister might note the year — found it necessary to prepare proposals for a substantial reconstruction and renovation programme in respect of these dispensaries which were then found to be inadequate, unsuitable and as irksome as possible in the facilities provided, so far as the patients are concerned? Would the Minister make further inquiries as to what happened to this report and see whether steps could not be taken in view of the substantial improvement in the financial position, to carry out some of the proposals then examined by the Kildare County Council?
When the Deputy has finished his speech, I should like to reply to his question. I am aware that a dispensary building programme was submitted to the Department of Health in the year 1953. It is now almost complete and has resulted in the provision of dispensaries and doctors' residences at Johnstown Bridge, Carbury, Kilcullen, Fontstown and Droichead Nua and new dispensaries at Ballymore-Eustace and Naas. I am sorry if the Deputy, who was a member of the Government at that time, did not know what was going on.
Somebody who can read English should reread the report for the Minister. He will see that the Naas dispensary is a makeshift arrangement and not a new one. The work done represents only one-third of that which it is necessary to do.