asked the Minister for Health if he is yet in a position to give the necessary decisions to the South Eastern Health Board to enable them to proceed with the final plans for the proposed maternity hospital at Carlow.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Carlow Maternity Hospital.
1.
A difficulty which has arisen in connection with the planning of the proposed maternity unit at St. Dympna's Hospital relates to the question of the type of fuel to be used to heat the unit. The necessary investigations have now almost been finalised and I expect to be in a position to communicate soon with the South Eastern Health Board in the matter.
I wonder is the Minister aware that the consulting engineer who was appointed by the health authority reported that the installation of an oil-fired boiler plant would be more economic than a turf-fired plant? Would the Minister now state if he is agreeable to the installation of the oil-fired plant?
As the Deputy knows, this is quite a complicated and technical matter relating to the hours during which heat is required and to the comparative capital and current costs. We have now decided that it would be better to have an independent oil-fired boiler.
I am glad to hear that.