asked the Minister for Health what steps are being taken by his Department to advise the local authority to provide a new dispensary at Shannonbridge, County Offaly, where there are a number of people holding medical cards who feel that they should have a dispensary available for them in their district; and if it will be provided with the least possible delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannonbridge (Offaly) Dispensary.
2.
As I informed the Deputy in reply to his previous question on the subject in November last, the matter is one for the Offaly County Council in the first instance and I have received no proposal in the matter from the council.
I understand that the matter was raised at a recent meeting of the county council and that, while it is considered that the population and the number of eligible persons in the vicinity of Shannonbridge would not warrant the provision of a dispensary there at present, it is proposed to reconsider the matter at a future date in the light of developments proposed for the area.
The health authority have a first-hand knowledge of conditions in the district and their decision to adjourn consideration of the matter appears reasonable. In the circumstances, I do not propose to intervene in the matter at this stage.