andMr. Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the proposals he has for the provision of old people's homes in the Inishowen peninsula, County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old People's Homes.
17.
I have no proposals for the provision of old people's homes in the Inishowen peninsula.
What became of the various proposals published a considerable time ago, which at different stages suggested Buncrana, Carndonagh, or Moville?
As I told the Deputy, there are no proposals in my Department for the provision of an old people's home in Inishowen peninsula, that is in Buncrana. I believe some investigations are being made with regard to Buncrana because they have a site but it is not regarded as a priority in this year. The priority notified to my Department was the building of such a home in Ramelton and Falcarragh. There is no proposal from the health board to the effect that the building of an old people's home in Buncrana will go ahead this year.
Is there any proposal, imminent or distant, for the provision of a home or homes in the Inishowen peninsula? I understand from the Minister's original reply that there is none and then he mentioned Buncrana. Is there such a proposal?
What is being done in Buncrana is on the initiative of the board themselves. They have purchased a site but they do not seem to have done anything about it. As far as the other places are concerned, they are the priority of the North Western Health Board and the board are going ahead with those two projects.
I am not asking about Ramelton and Falcarragh. What I am asking about is an area which contains about one-quarter to one-fifth of the total population in a county which is isolated from the rest of the country and which is not being catered for, although there were varying proposals in the public Press over the past two or three years about the possible building of a home in Carndonagh and Moville. In fact, premises was bought in Moville not so long ago, but were sold again. It now appears that Buncrana is the most likely place. I would like the Minister to find out and let me have the information as to whether the site purchased in Buncrana is the last word so far as servicing the Inishowen Peninsula is concerned or whether there is any ground for the suggestion that appeared in the paper some time back?
It is recognised Buncrana needs such a home and it will be built, not this year and I cannot say when exactly because there is no proposal from the Health Board, but there are definite proposals in respect of the places I have mentioned.
Deputy Blaney rose.
A final supplementary.
Is the Deputy suggesting there were proposals before now in respect of Buncrana in the Department of Health?
Not so much only Buncrana. There was a plethora of suggestions as to where these facilities were to go and that is all we have got and I have an idea that is all we are going to get, suggestions, including the purchase of premises, which have since been sold, and suggestions there would be a home in Carndonagh and later a home in Buncrana and now apparently they have decided——
We must have finality on this question.
The Deputy will appreciate I can deal only with the actual proposals I get from the health board.
May I ask just one final question?
Briefly, yes.
Would the Minister take up with the health board as Minister for Health the whole question of what that board are proposing to do once and for all in so far as servicing the Inishowen Peninsula is concerned?
What they are proposing is to go ahead and build in Falcarragh and Ramelton and Tobercurry in Sligo.
Deputy Blaney rose.
I am calling the next question, Question No. 18. That must be sufficient for the Deputy.
Sir, the Minister is confusing——
Question No. 18.
The Minister is confusing this with other places in the county.
I have given the Deputy every latitude. Question No. 18.
I propose to find out what the situation is with regard to Inishowen which is what this question specifically is about and mentioning Tobercurry and Falcarragh is of no interest whatsoever.
What is going to happen in Inishowen will have to come from the health board in the first place.
But the Minister is Minister for Health and will he do something with this board to see what they intend to do for the people up there instead of talking——
I have called the next question.
No. I will not interfere with the board's decision.
The Minister will not interfere. He will make no decision. Will he do something with this board to see——
Order.
The Deputy does not believe in local autonomy then?
It suits the Minister when it suits him and it does not suit him when it does not suit.
Order. I have called Question No. 18. Will Deputy Blaney please desist?
Is the Deputy on the health board?
The Minister is Minister for Health and he cannot escape his responsibility.
Neither can the North Western Health Board.
If they do something the Minister will claim credit and, if they do nothing, he will wash his hands of them.
And the Deputy built all the houses when he was Minister for Local Government.
I ran the Department, which is more than the Minister is doing in the Department of Health.
Did the Deputy interfere with the local authority?
The Department is running the Minister. I ran the Department.
Did the Deputy interfere with the local authority?
Yes, when it was necessary, and I would still interfere if it were necessary.