asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the Eastern Health Board to replace the present temporary buildings used for housing patients in Saint Ita's Hospital, Portrane, Dublin, by permanent structures.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Portrane (Dublin) Hospital.
27.
I understand that the Eastern Health Board hope to be in a position shortly to invite tenders for the provision of a new 72-bed unit at St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane, to rehouse some of the patients at present accommodated in the temporary buildings. Proposals for rehousing the remaining patients are being examined.
Is the Minister aware that these temporary buildings were constructed around 1890 and would he not agree that they were temporary only in that context and it is a slight exaggeration to refer to them as temporary now and would he not, in view of this, speed up the removal of these temporary buildings and replace them with permanent buildings?
It was the Deputy who used the term "temporary" in his question. I have told the Deputy that tenders have been invited for the provision of 72 beds and the provision of other beds is being considered.
Would the Minister agree to have this consideration speeded up in view of the urgency of the matter?
With the health board, no.