asked the Minister for Health the proposals the Southern Health Board have to improve accommodation for medical card holders in the following centres: (a) Castletownbere (b) Cahermore (c) Allihies and (d) Ardgroom in West Cork and (e) Tuosist and (f) Kenmare in South Kerry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Card Holders' Accommodation.
19.
I am informed that the Southern Health Board have renovated the premises at Castletownbere and have supplied new furnishing. The other centres mentioned are regarded as unsatisfactory by the board and consideration is being given to improving the facilities in these areas.
Will the Minister state if the facilities in the centres mentioned will be improved this year or next year?
They will be improved under a gradual process. It will not be possible to do all of them in one year.
Will it be an ongoing process?
The Deputy is beginning to get used to Opposition.
Is the Minister monitoring the situation?
I do not use those clichés.
Will the Minister state the estimated cost of the works in each case?
I am afraid I cannot because the health board are examining the whole situation so far as Castletownbere, Cahermore, Allihies, Ardgroom in West Cork, and Tuosist, and Kenmare in south Kerry are concerned. They are regarded as being unsatisfactory and they are being examined by the health board.
Question No. 20.
Were they included in the list of capital projects submitted to the Department?
Not for this year.
Next question, please.
The Castletownbere one has been improved and furnished recently.
Is it true to say that the Southern Health Board have been informed that no increase in their capital allowances will be forthcoming in 1976 or 1977——
That is a separate matter.
——for capital improvement works?
The Deputy is looking a long way ahead.
I have called the next question. The Chair must not be ignored by either side of the House.
My information is that the Southern Health Board cannot carry on with any of these projects.
I do not think the Deputy should ask me what the capital allocation will be for 1976 and 1977.
We will have to wait for the budget next week.
Is the Minister covering up what his officials said?
Perhaps the Deputy would tell me what the officials said.