asked the Minister for Health if he will state the number and bed complement of the maternity hospitals in the Dublin area and the situation of such hospitals; and whether, in view of the rapid expansion of the city north-eastwards, there are any proposals under consideration for the erection of a maternity hospital to serve the growing needs of that area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Maternity Hospital Accommodation.
60.
Mr. O'Malley
The maternity hospitals and maternity units in other hospitals have a total maternity bed complement of 489, namely:
|
Coombe Hospital, The Coombe |
82 |
beds |
|
National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street |
138 |
,, |
|
Rotunda Hospital, Parnell Square |
134 |
,, |
|
St. Kevin's Hospital Maternity Unit, James's Street |
90 |
,, |
|
St. Columcille's Hospital Maternity Unit, Loughlins- town |
28 |
,, |
|
St. Patrick's, Navan Road |
17 |
,, |
The building of the new Coombe Hospital at Dolphin's Barn and the extension of the National Maternity Hospital are in progress. These will provide 108 additional maternity beds.
No proposals are under consideration at present for building a maternity hospital in the north-east area of Dublin.
Is the Minister aware that most of those maternity hospitals are situated in the central and southern part of the city and that the increase in population in the north-east has been considerable? Will he have the matter examined with a view to seeing whether such a proposal is feasible and practicable?
Mr. O'Malley
I shall look into it.
61.
asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of the fact that some years ago land was acquired from the Dublin Corporation by a religious community for the purpose of building a maternity hospital at Vernon Avenue; and whether he has any information as to the reasons why the construction of the hospital was not proceeded with.
Mr. O'Malley
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.
As this project was to have been a private undertaking, my Department has no detailed knowledge in regard to it but I have been given to understand that, by reason of the high cost which would be involved in the project on this site and of the advantages of a more central location for the unit, the promoters have decided not to proceed with the proposal.