asked the Minister for Health the number of patients presently housed in the temporary structures in St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane, County Dublin; the length of time these structures have been in existence; and the plans his Department have for the final resolution of this problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Hospital Structures.
21.
The number of patients in the buildings known as the temporary buildings is now 191. These buildings were erected in 1890. Their use will be phased out by the Eastern Health Board over the next few years and in the meantime maintenance works have been carried out to the buildings.
The plans include the transfer of 70 of these patients to a new unit which was recently completed. When certain other improvement works at the hospital have been completed later this year, a further 30 can be moved out and the conversion of 12 houses in the hospital grounds into hostels will accommodate another 60 of the patients who are now in the temporary buildings.
Would the Minister consider visiting Portrane and the temporary buildings at the hospital? They were built as temporary buildings in 1890 but now they accommodate mentally retarded adults. The conditions in which they live are deplorable. In one case there is one toilet for 96 women. I would also ask the Minister to look at the files in this case. In 1971 a former Minister for Health, the late Mr. Childers, promised that the temporary structures would be abolished that year. I would ask the Minister to visit St. Ita's Hospital at Portrane and see the conditions for himself.
I am prepared to accept the Deputy's description. I have heard him make this case very eloquently on a number of occasions and I accept the case he makes. It is really a very unsatisfactory situation and I would hope that within the next couple of years it will be dealt with finally. In the meantime 130 places will be provided very quickly.
Did I understand the Minister to say the new accommodation for 70 patients is currently under construction?
It was completed recently.
It is not a fact that that accommodation was to have been opened in October 1977 and that it has been ready since that date——
There are staffing difficulties.
Because of a staffing dispute it has not been opened and patients have been obliged to remain in very inadequate accommodation. The place was visited in 1969 by the then Minister for Health, Mr. Flanagan, and the undertaking was then given that the buildings would be phased out immediately. They are still being used and the new unit which will cater for 70 patients is closed.
The unhappy position is that the building is there but, unfortunately, because of some negotiating problems it cannot be occupied. I hope the problems will soon be resolved.
What is the Minister doing to bring about a resolution of the problems?
I am quite active in endeavouring to procure a solution. The Labour Court are actively involved at the moment in endeavouring to sort out the problem.
Since last September?
It is a problem of long standing, as the Deputy knows.
It is a bad scene to see a unit closed while patients are living in inadequate accommodation.
Of course it is a bad scene. As I have said, it is a very unhappy situation. The building is there but it cannot be occupied because of staffing difficulties. That is not my fault. I am endeavouring to have the staffing problems cleared up as quickly as possible. The Labour Court are involved and are endeavouring to have it sorted out.