andMr. Casey asked the Minister for Health whether he received any proposed plans for the staffing of Our Lady's Hospital, Cork from the Cork Health Authority; and, if so, at what date he received such plans; and at what date he expects to come to a decision with regard to the sanctioning of them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Staffing of Cork Hospital.
4.
Staffing proposals in regard to Our Lady's Hospital, Cork, were received on 11th February last, and were examined in my Department.
These proposals could be materially affected by the decision on my suggestion that St Mary's Hospital, Gurranebraher, should be made available as an active-treatment psychiatric unit. This matter of the alternative use of St. Mary's Hospital is, as yet, unresolved. I sincerely hope that, in the interests of the psychiatric services in the area, the Cork Health Authority's decision on this suggestion will be taken early and will be favourable.
Apart altogether from the foregoing, the examination of the staffing proposals disclosed certain points of doubt or difficulty and, accordingly, a letter asking for elucidation on these points issued from my Department on 22nd April. When a reply is received, the matter will be further examined but until such a reply is received, it is not possible to indicate when a decision will be reached.