asked the Minister for Health if he has received any proposals for the reorganisation of hospital services in North Tipperary; and, if so, the steps he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - North Tipperary Hospital Service.
1.
I have received no such proposals but the Deputy will be aware that the administrative bodies in the health field—the health boards, the regional hospital boards and Comhairle na nOspidéal—have been asked by me to review and make recommendations regarding the development of a general hospital system for the whole country including North Tipperary. A copy of the relevant memoranda was sent to each Deputy.
I hope to have such recommendations by the end of the current calendar year or early in January, 1974, to enable me to settle the hospital development programme by the end of March, 1974.
When he has received the proposals will the Minister be prepared to meet a representative deputation from the area concerned from the hospitals or the local authority or the chambers of commerce or other bodies interested in the future of this county hospital?
I could not give any such undertaking at this stage because various local committees are concerned about their own hospitals. Up to this I have resisted receiving any deputations until I have had a report from the health bodies who will consult, of course, with their local advisory bodies.
I appreciate that, but I am talking about the time when the Minister has received the report from the health boards and all the relevant reports. Obviously he will have to take a decision on this and on other cases. I am asking him if, at that point, he will be prepared to meet a representative deputation of all concerned to discuss the matter?
When I meet that hurdle I will jump it.
Would the Minister not agree that that would be a reasonable thing to do at the time?
I am sorry. I could not give the Deputy any such undertaking until I receive the reports from all the health boards, that is, the eight health boards. If there is any disagreement between them and the medical boards which are representative of the counties and, in the case of Tipperary North Riding——
The Minister will appreciate the fact that there is a lot of speculation and concern in this and in other areas now. Naturally people look to the Government and the Minister concerned.
I would be grateful if the Deputy would ask a supplementary.
I am asking the Minister if in view of that he will allow those concerned at every level in the hospitals to express their views to him when he has received the reports. I think the Minister should accept that as being a reasonable principle.
I think we are engaging in argument now.
The Deputy should also appreciate that, rather than implementing the Fitzgerald Report as it was printed, I have given the health boards, who represent all the professions, and the public representatives an opportunity to discuss and decide amongst themselves where they think the hospitals should be located and what their status should be.
We will have to pass on.
There is great concern in the area.
Tipperary North Riding is not alone in that.
It is my special concern.