asked the Minister for Health if, having regard to the urgency of a decision on the proposals of Dublin Health Authority to adapt the boiler house at Saint Kevin's Hospital for the use of oil and the considerable savings in operating costs which would result from such adaptation, he will expedite approval of the proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Saint Kevin's Hospital, Dublin.
53.
My Department has already approved of the Health Authority's general proposals for replacement of the boiler plant in the main steam boilerhouse at St. Kevin's Hospital, subject to the use of turf fuel as heretofore. In a recent letter to the Department the Health Authority has requested approval for the use of oil instead of turf in the new boiler plant. In view of the urgent need to proceed with the provision of the new boilers, arrangements have been made by my Department for an early meeting with representatives of the Health Authority and its technical advisers to expedite decisions on the planning of the new installation and the type of fuel to be used.
54.
asked the Minister for Health when the Dublin Health Authority will receive his decision on the Authority's proposals for the psychiatric unit in Saint Kevin's Hospital.
The proposed establishment of a psychiatric unit at St. Kevin's Hospital is part of a scheme for the reorganisation of psychiatric services in Dublin. The Dublin Health Authority's proposals in this regard are being examined. The proposals are far-reaching and further consultation with the health authority will be necessary before a decision can be given.
Will the Minister ensure we will not have the same kind of delay in this matter as we are experiencing in relation to the health legislation?
I take responsibility for the delay. I think it is well advised. In any event, I do not regard it as a delay.
The Minister is getting a bad reputation for doing nothing.
I do not agree.
(Cavan): He inherited a legacy of omission from his predecessor.
55.
asked the Minister for Health why he has not yet sanctioned proposals for extending the pathology laboratory department in Saint Kevin's Hospital, Dublin; if he is aware that because of lack of accommodation in the laboratory research equipment cannot be used and is stored elsewhere; if he will give the reasons for the delay; and how soon sanction will be granted.
Proposals for the extension of the laboratory facilities in St. Kevin's Hospital are being considered in my Department. The consideration being given by the Consultative Council on the general hospital services to the reorganisation of hospital services in Dublin poses a difficulty in giving a decision about the St. Kevin's proposals. I hope to receive the report of the Council within a few months and it should then be possible to give a decision on the proposals to extend the laboratory.
I understand that in the meantime arrangements are being made to house the equipment referred to in the question so that it can be brought into operation.
Is the Minister aware that the health authority received a long time ago very expensive laboratory research equipment from the Hospitals Commission and that, because of the Minister's delay in giving the necessary approval to the extension of the laboratory, the equipment is still lying piecemeal in offices and cannot be used?
Did the Deputy ever read a book called The Wastemakers?
The Minister will appreciate that he is here to answer questions, not to ask them. Will he now say why he will not give his approval to this urgently needed extension?
If the Deputy continues on that line of country, I will not give my approval to it at any stage.
Are we to understand the reason why the Minister will not do anything in his Department is that everybody is asking him, for God's sake, to do something?
It is the policy of doing something here, there and everywhere higgledly-piggledly throughout the hospitals in Dublin which led to the situation which caused me to set up this advisory body. I take full responsibility for setting up this body and I hope to accept their report in regard to the entire reorganisation of the hospital service in Dublin. If delay is involved in that, I accept responsibility for it and for not making wasteful additions, giving bits and pieces here and there without any pattern. That is just what has been going on.
Is the Minister standing over the situation which prevents the health authority using expensive equipment given to it to meet an urgent need?
Those are two different questions.
It is all the one question. The Minister is doing nothing.
The mere fact that it was handed over does not mean it should be put into operation in the first place the donor selects. That is more of the muddled thinking about the whole hospital service in Dublin which the Deputy apparently shares.
No. Is the Minister aware that the situation is that his Department having given their approval and the equipment having been given, it cannot be used?
I am calling Question No. 56.