asked the Minister for Health whether, in view of the increase in population in the area of Dublin north-east, including the Clontarf, Raheny, Artane, Coolock, Edenmore, Bonnybrook, Sutton, Baldoyle and Howth areas and in the adjoining areas of Santry and Ballymun, etc., consideration will be given to the necessity of building a hospital or hospitals to serve the needs of citizens and their families living in these areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Hospital Facilities.
37.
The hospital situation in Dublin must be viewed in relation to the requirements of the city and county as a whole. There is, overall, a sufficient number of beds available to meet requirements and there is no part of Dublin which is not within a reasonable distance of a large general or maternity hospital.
Certain improvements are necessary to the hospital services in Dublin. These are, in the main, concerned with the replacement of some of the existing hospitals of 18th century and early 19th century origin by more up-to-date buildings. In deciding on the location of any new hospital with which I may be concerned, full account will be taken of the convenience of the patients who will use it.