asked the Minister for Health what procedure is adopted by a local authority deciding to erect a new dispensary building in a county borough; what loan or grants are available; and on what conditions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of Dispensary Building in County Borough.
5.
The normal procedure is as follows:—
Approval, in principle, of a proposal to provide a new dispensary premises is first sought by the local authority. If my Department is satisfied that new premises are essential and that the local authority would be unable economically to acquire and adapt an existing building for the purpose, approval is issued for the erection of a new dispensary. A suitable site must then be procured, the location and purchase price of which are subject to my approval. On issue of such approval, the local authority are at liberty to proceed with the erection of a dispensary without reference of planning documents to my Department. When requested in due course, my Department authorities the local authority to procure, either from their Treasurer or from the Local Loans Fund, a loan sufficient to meet the cost of the new building.
Grants are not now made available from the Hospitals Trust Fund towards the cost of providing new dispensaries.