asked the Minister for Health the age of the oldest building in the Saint Laurence's Hospital complex, Dublin.
27.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Saint Laurence's Hospital, Dublin.
23.
asked the Minister for Health the total number of in-patient beds in Saint Laurence's Hospital, Dublin; and the total number of beds accommodated in prefabricated temporary buildings and buildings over 100 years old.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 27 together.
The oldest building in the Saint Laurence's Hospital complex is approximately 300 years old.
The total number of beds in the hospital is 361 of which 62 beds are in prefabricated buildings and 210 in permanent buildings which are over 100 years old.
24.
asked the Minister for Health whether in-patients of Saint Laurence's Hospital, Dublin must be wheeled across the Morning Star Avenue following operations and when travelling from X-ray and other tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
25.
asked the Minister for Health what protection is afforded to patients of the Saint Laurence's Hospital complex, Dublin to protect them from inclement weather conditions while crossing the Morning Star Avenue on trolleys or in wheel chairs.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 25 together.
Some in-patients of this hospital have to be wheeled across the Morning Star Avenue for X-ray and other tests but not immediately after operation.
The hospital authority have indicated that such patients are adequately protected, especially in inclement weather, to ensure their safety and comfort.
The hospital authority are at present considering whether it is possible to improve these arrangements.
Since this particular hospital is the only one in the State for which the Minister has direct responsibility, can he say whether he is aware that the only protection for people being wheeled across the Morning Star Avenue is an umbrella and that this is the only form of protection that has been provided for them since 1947? Also, is he aware that patients are wheeled across the avenue immediately after operations?
Patients are not transferred across the Morning Star Avenue until several days elapse after operations. I can tell the Deputy also that I made available a very considerable grant to Saint Laurence's Hospital for improvement purposes.
26.
asked the Minister for Health the greatest number of years of in-patient hospital care given to a patient in Saint Laurence's Hospital, Dublin since the establishment of the hospital board.
I have not got the information sought by the Deputy. If he considers the matter to be of importance, he might approach the hospital direct.