asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a survey carried out by doctors and para-medical staff in Mount Pleasant Building, Dublin, which resulted in the conclusion that an excessive number of children in those flats were underprivileged, undersized and undernourished; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Survey Conclusions.
28.
I understand that some form of survey was undertaken in the area in question. Since it was not published or sent to my Department, I have no precise information about its contents and I am not, therefore, in a position to make any statement about it.
In view of the seriousness of the findings of this report, would the Minister not request his officials to investigate the source of the report so as to ascertain whether there is any validity in it?
I shall not make any comment on the report because I have not received it but I should inform the Deputy that there is a social service council in the area who are doing very active work in Mount Pleasant and in other areas in the vicinity and I am certain that they would be the best people to draw the attention of the Eastern Health Board to whatever is required and should it be found necessary to request my attention or that of the Minister for Local Government, that would be forthcoming.
Surely the Minister must have some responsibility in this matter?
The Deputy is not going to turn me into a kind of Zinoviev. I am very anxious to have community services established and I happen to know that there are people interested in these buildings and who know all about them. I would much prefer to have this kind of report examined by them and examined by the welfare officers of the Eastern Health Board before it is sent to me.