asked the Minister for Health if, having regard to the interruption or postponement of operations and other medical activities in Dublin hospitals on 25th September last due to a widespread electricity power failure, his Department have ascertained the amount of medical equipment immobilised on that occasion; what hospitals are provided with emergency electricity generating plant; from what hospitals he has received requests for such plant; where and when such plant will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Emergency Electrical Plant.
156.
I have not received any report of danger to patients or serious difficulty to hospitals as a result of the unprecedented electric power failure to which the Deputy refers, and I do not consider that the expenditure of time and money necessary to compile details of the extent to which hospital equipment was affected would be justified.
Emergency electricity generators have been provided in 60 institutions out of grants issued from the funds of my Department. At present four requests for grants are under consideration. Subject to such proposals being technically acceptable, I am prepared to make grants available in any case in which a failure of the public electricity supply would involve a risk of danger to life.
The Dáil adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 24th October, 1967.