asked the Minister for Health when approval will be given for each of the following projects at the Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle, Limerick: (a) medical records building; (b) alterations to theatre block, including provision of a third theatre, new sterilising room and anaesthetic room; (c) temporary laboratory building; (d) assembly hall and classrooms for training school; (e) psychiatric unit and outpatients department; (f) 100 to 150 bed children's hospital; and (g) temporary paediatric unit.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Hospitals.
2.
Approval has been given to the provision of (a) medical records building; (b) third operating theatre and ancillary facilities and (e) new psychiatric unit.
Planning of the medical records building is at the final stage; working drawings of the new theatre and ancillary areas have been approved by my Department and proposals for the mechanical and electrical installations are awaited from the health board.
The proposed location of the psychiatric unit on the regional hospital site has not yet been finally settled.
Apart from these projects, the other proposals are to a degree interlinked and the question also arises of settling priorities for the carrying out of the different elements of the overall development proposals. Possible approaches to a phased programme of development giving priority to the works which are considered most urgent have been fully discussed between officers of my Department and of the health board. As a result, I hope that when the suggestions made have been investigated an agreed programme of development will emerge so that the most urgent works can proceed without delay.
I am particularly concerned that out of this urgent review will come a practical early solution to the unsatisfactory position about paediatric accommodation.
3.
asked the Minister for Health when sanction will be given to the issue of an advertisement for tenders for the building of a cafeteria and changing rooms in St. Camillus' Hospital, Limerick.
The submission of certain amended planning documents to the Department will be required before tenders can be invited for this scheme. When the documentation has been completed, the possibility of proceeding with the work will be considered in association with other schemes proposed for hospitals in the Mid-Western Health Board area, and having regard to the resources then available.
4.
asked the Minister for Health when approval will be given for the new 100 bed unit at St. Ita's Hospital, Newcastle West, County Limerick.
Approval in principle has been given to the provision of a 100 bed unit for chronic sick patients at St. Ita's Hospital, Newcastle West and the planning of the unit has reached sketch plan stage. When the planning of the scheme has been completed, the question of allowing the scheme to go to tender will then be considered in the light of the available resources and of the priority rating which the Mid-Western Health Board gives to this project.
5.
asked the Minister for Health when tenders will be sought for the building of a 40 bed welfare home at St. Ita's Hospital, Newcastle West, County Limerick.
This is one of the projects for which I am prepared to provide funds which will enable tenders to be invited during the financial year 1972-73.