asked the Minister for Health if he will make finance available in the capital programme in the present year to enable stage three of the scheme of improvements to St. Vincent's Hospital, Athy, County Kildare to proceed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kildare Hospitals.
5.
Preliminary proposals have been received in my Department for Stage III of the scheme of improvements at this hospital and these are being examined. It is unlikely that, in the event of the proposals being approved, planning would be sufficiently advanced to enable work to commence in the present financial year. The matter will receive consideration, however, when the allocation for the capital building programme for 1975 is being settled.
6.
asked the Minister for Health if he will provide finance during the present year to enable work on a geriatric assessment unit and other necessary facilities at the County Hospital, Naas, County Kildare to commence this year.
I understand that proposals for a 30-bed geriatric unit and other facilities at Naas County Hospital are being considered by the Eastern Health Board but such proposals have not yet been submitted to my Department. It is unlikely that, in the event of these proposals being approved, the planning would be completed and work commenced on the scheme during the current financial year.