asked the Minister for Health if he has sanctioned the building of the 22-bed unit proposed by the Eastern Health Board at St. Colman's Hospital, Rathdrum, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Wicklow Hospital.
17.
The proposal to build 22 beds in Rathdrum is linked with another proposal of the Eastern Health Board which would entail the discontinuance of the use of 11 beds and a day room in Wicklow District Hospital, to provide space there for additional out-patient clinics and an ambulance control centre.
Consultations with the health board on this scheme have taken place and an inspection has been carried out by medical and architectural officers of the Department. Further consultations with the health board will be necessary before a decision can be reached.
I should mention that work on the reconstruction of St. Colman's Hospital, Rathdrum, which cost £540,000, was completed last September.
The Minister has given me a preamble but he has not answered the question. Will the Minister not agree that there have been definite plans in his Department for approximately 18 months for the building of a 22-bed unit in St. Colman's, Rathdrum? Will he make the necessary finance available to the Eastern Health Board so that this building can be commenced? I would request the Minister when he is replying to the second supplementary question not to say that he will give a certain amount of money to the health board and let them decide.
Will the Deputy please put a brief and relevant question?
Will the Minister not agree that there is a definite proposal in his Department and that he must deal with it?
There is not a final proposal by the health board on this proposal. I do not know if the Deputy heard my reply when I stated that further consultations with the health board will be necessary before a decision is reached. The Deputy wants a simple decision as to whether there will be 22 extra beds in Rathdrum. According to one of the suggestions that is contingent on 11 beds being taken from Wicklow District Hospital. I do not think I would be in favour of that at the present time because there is ample accommodation there for another use that the health board have in mind for Wicklow District Hospital. The 11 beds can be retained in Wicklow and the other improvements suggested can be carried out in Wicklow also with regard to ambulance control and so on.
This is very important in order that the House will not be mislead. Eleven beds would not be taken——
That is not a question.
Will the Minister not agree that it is not a matter of 11 beds being taken from Wicklow but that it is a matter of the transfer of geriatric patients to St. Colman's which would enable beds to be available for patients suffering from bruises and burns so that there would be a turnover of patients at Wicklow hospital?
The proposal includes a suggestion that 11 beds be taken from Wicklow and established in Rathdrum. This suggestion was made, as was said by the health board, to provide space for additional out-patient clinics and for an ambulance control centre. I am informed that can be done without disturbing the bed complement in the Wicklow hospital.
Will the Minister state if the proposal to reduce the number of beds in Wicklow came from the Eastern Health Board? I am very happy with the reply given by the Minister that he does not intend to reduce Wicklow hospital in size.
The two proposals went together.
From the Eastern Health Board?
They were tentative proposals. There is not a final proposal from them yet.
The Minister has said that the two proposals came simultaneously. Would he not agree that he has had a proposal for St. Colman's Hospital for the past 18 months?
St. Colman's Hospital itself is not entitled to make proposals. It is the Eastern Health Board who make the proposals.
Is it not a fact that proposals regarding St. Colman's Hospital have been in the Department for 18 months?
I have said their proposal is to provide 22 extra beds in Rathdrum and to discontinue the service of 11 beds in Wicklow. That has not been resolved yet and I do not see any reason why 11 beds should be removed from Wicklow.
Will the Minister state how long the proposal has been in his Department?
I am calling the next question.
I have not received an answer.
I am trying to see if I can provide the Deputy with the information——
The Chair should be obeyed. I have called Question No. 18.
Perhaps the Minister would communicate with me?