asked the Minister for Health when approval will be given for work to start on the Eastern Regional Health Board's proposal for an old people's home at the Magdalen Convent, Donnybrook, Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Old People's Home.
5.
This proposal is still under consideration in consultation with the Eastern Health Board and I hope to be in a position at an early date to give a decision with regard to it.
Could the Minister say how early a date it is likely to be? Is he aware that this matter is something that the Eastern Health Board are concerned to press and will he ensure that approval is not held up in his Department especially in view of the circumstances that the site in question is being given free for this purpose?
A further meeting to discuss the proposal has been arranged between the parties concerned for the 27th January. As the Deputy knows, this is partly a matter for decision by the Eastern Health Board, how best to provide accommodation for the patients who are likely to come to the institution which has asked for aid. It is, in part, a decision by the Eastern Health Board.
Would the Minister not agree that the Eastern Health Board are in favour of this and give it the highest priority and that the hold-up is in his Department, not having given approval for this plan?
It is a question of a choice between the provision of beds which, in fact, might be at a lower cost per head and, on the other hand, the very favourable offer by the Order concerned. These two different types of approach are being considered by the Eastern Health Board.
Am I not right in saying that the Eastern Health Board are in favour of this proposal and it is in the Minister's Department that the hold-up has occurred?
Yes, I am asking them to look into it. The Deputy is correct in that. I will make a decision on the matter as soon as I can.