asked the Minister for Health when work will commence on the reconstruction and improvement of the County Home at Mountmellick; and what is the cause of the delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mountmellick County Home.
2.
The scheme for the reconstruction and improvement of the County Home, Mountmellick, is a major undertaking involving heavy capital expenditure. It provides, inter alia, for the internal reconstruction and renovation of the existing old workhouse buildings, additional accommodation for patients including a new infirmary block, central heating and improved sanitary accommodation. By reason of the nature and scope of the scheme, formulation of the local authority's planning proposals and their detailed examination in my Department have necessarily taken some time but I am glad to say that planning is now in its final stage and that the local authority should be in a position in the near future to invite tenders for the carrying out of the approved works.
Did the Minister say the planning has reached an advanced stage?
Yes.
Is it not correct that the planning in relation to this scheme was completed prior to 1956, that the work was sanctioned and a direction was given to the Laois Health Authority to proceed with the work in early 1957?
It is quite true to say that my predecessor, Deputy O'Higgins, did give a direction but he omitted to leave any money.
The money was earmarked. Is it not correct to say that the money for that and for some 30 other schemes was earmarked and provided prior to the Minister's coming into office?
Earmarked but not provided. The position then was, as the Deputy knows, that the proceeds of the Hospitals Sweepstake had been mortgaged to the extent of almost £1 million in advance and I was not prepared to conduct that kind of financial carry on.
Is the Minister telling the House that if the work mentioned in this question and other works, too, had been carried out as directed, the money to pay for the work involved would not have been available? Is that what the Minister is telling the House?
I am merely saying that if that work had been carried on as directed many schemes in respect of which commitments had been entered into almost 20 years ago would have been put aside out of the way and I do not believe in that.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply to this question I propose, with your permission, to raise this matter on the adjournment of the House.
I shall communicate with the Deputy later.