asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make a statement in respect of the intended demolition of Skiddy's Home in Cork which is some 300 years old, with particular reference to the possibility of preserving the Home, whilst at the same time providing a new nurses' quarters for the North Infirmary, Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Demolition of Cork City Home.
16.
Mr. Barrett
This is a matter for Cork Corporation, as planning authority for the area, and I have no functions in relation to it. An appeal was made to me against the planning authority's decision to grant outline permission for the erection of the Nurses' Home in accordance with plans which involved the demolition of Skiddy's Home but the appeal was not received within the statutory period and it was not, therefore, possible for me to consider it.
Under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, the Corporation have power to include in their development plan objectives for the preservation of buildings of artistic, architectural or historical interest. In the period prior to the making of the plan, they can declare by resolution that the preservation of such buildings is an objective which they propose to include in their plan and if such a resolution is passed such buildings may not be demolished or altered without their permission.
Is the Minister aware that the Committee of the North Infirmary have been seeking accommodation to build a home for sisters and probationer nurses adjacent to the hospital for over 30 years and, in spite of the fact that protests have been made to prevent them acquiring the site of Skiddy's Home, no interested persons have forwarded any suggestion as to where they may find an alternative site? Furthermore, is the Minister aware that the North Infirmary are not yet in possession of the lease of these premises, that the sum required is £2,000 and that nobody seems sufficiently interested to raise that amount of money to preserve this Home as an amenity for the city of Cork and that expert opinion has been given that the state of the building makes it impossible to preserve it for more than a couple of years as it is toppling from old age?
Yes, I have heard most of that.