Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Feb 1979

Vol. 312 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laois-Offaly Health Service.

9.

Mr. O. J. Flanagan

asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to have a new dental clinic and health centre erected in Abbeyleix, County Laois, as a matter of urgency; if he agrees that most of the health centres in Laois-Offaly have very poor maintenance standards and building hygiene; if he will insist on the appointment of permanent wholetime maintenance staff to the community care programme; and if he is satisfied that the present rate of 50p per day is adequate to ensure proper standards of hygiene at health centres.

10.

Mr. O. J. Flanagan

asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the new health centres being built and planned in Laois-Offaly; if he agrees that the present centres at Portarlington, Edenderry and Mountmellick require urgent painting externally and internally; and if he will make a statement in relation to the Portarlington centre and the action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter.

Mr. Haughey

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.

The provision of a dental clinic and health centre at Abbeyleix is a matter for the Midland Health Board. I understand that the existing centre there is being reconstructed and that improved dental facilities will be provided.

The health board are also responsible for the maintenance, repair and decoration of all health centres in their functional area, and necessary works are carried out as part of an on-going maintenance programme. I understand that the centre at Portarlington is scheduled for repainting this year and the board intend to provide a new centre at Edenderry to replace the existing centre.

The appointment and conditions of employment of the board's maintenance staff is a matter for the board. I do not understand the Deputy's reference to a rate of 50p per day. The part-time caretakers are paid £15 where a clinic is open for five days in the week.

Over the past two years the health board have provided new health centres at Cloghan, Banagher, Rathdowney, Newtown, Ballylinan and Mountrath and new centres are at present under construction at Sleaty, Abbeyleix and Ballinakill. In the current year the board hope to proceed with the planning and construction of centres at Clara and Edenderry. A new major health centre and community care offices at Portlaoise is being planned and a new major health centre for Athlone is included in the 1979 major capital programme.

11.

Mr. O. J. Flanagan

asked the Minister for Health the number of dental general anaesthetics carried out in 1978 at the County Hospital, Portlaoise; if there is a waiting list and, if so, the extent of it; if he proposes to provide dental general anaesthetic facilities at the County Hospital, Tullamore; the number of beds in Tullamore and Portlaoise available, or planned, for this service; and whether such patients occasionally have to be treated in the Western Health Board or Eastern Health Board areas.

Mr. Haughey

In 1978, 15 patients received dental treatment under general anaesthetic in the County Hospital, Portlaoise. There is a waiting list of approximately 100 at present.

General anaesthetic facilities will be provided in the dental suite of the new health centre in Tullamore, now nearing completion. In addition improved theatre facilities are planned for Tullamore Hospital and these could be made available for dental patients, if necessary. The general position regarding anaesthetic facilities for dental patients in this area should improve substantially in the near future.

Beds are not specially reserved for dental patients in the Tullamore or Portlaoise hospitals but are made available as required subject to the needs of general hospital patients.

I understand that dental patients requiring treatment under general anaesthetic may be referred to centres in the Eastern Health Board area and in the Western Health Board area.

Mr. Enright

The Minister mentioned that there are 100 people on the waiting list for this type of treatment. What is the longest time any patient has been on this list?

Mr. Haughey

Some of them could have been waiting for a number of years but it is also possible that some may have received treatment elsewhere, even though they are still on the waiting list. The list is of a few years' standing.

Mr. Enright

What steps is the Minister taking to cut down this waiting list, particularly in regard to Laois and Offaly?

Mr. Haughey

I have outlined what we are hoping to do generally. It is primarily the responsibility of the health board and they assure me that the situation should improve considerably very shortly.