asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, County Dublin has an active and growing obstetrical unit with a bed complement of 38 and projected deliveries in 1979 of 1,000 in an area of rapid population growth; if in these circumstances he will review the recommendations of Comhairle na nOspidéal relating to the provision of a paediatric unit at this hospital and if he will make a statement on the matter with particular reference also to the impending census of population returns for the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Loughlinstown (County Dubin) Hospital.
34.
Comhairle na nOspidéal have recently completed a study in relation to the development of hospital paediatric services in the country generally and will shortly be publishing a discussion document in the matter. I will carefully consider the position regarding St. Columcille's Hospital in the light of the recommendations in this document.
The Eastern Health Board at their meeting of 4 October 1979 resolved that St. Columcille's Hospital should be retained as an acute general hospital. I am initiating immediate discussions between officers of my Department and of the health board to discuss the position regarding the hospital in the light of this resolution and having regard to the future planning of general hospital services in the south Dublin/Wicklow area. The population trends in the area as revealed in the preliminary returns of the 1979 census of population will be one of the factors taken into account.
Would the Minister accept that the very major increase in population in the south County Dublin and the County Wicklow areas warrants the retention of this hospital as a general hospital despite earlier feelings within his Department?
Or some other appropriate unit——
Does the Minister actually agree with the recommendation of Comhairle na nOspidéal, which he read out to us, that that hospital should be retained? Has he taken any decision on the matter?
I have not yet. There are a number of factors to be taken into consideration, one of which is the enormous increase in population in east Wicklow and the state of the buildings in St. Columcille's Hospital.
The buildings are quite good.
I agree that a decision has to be taken and something positive done.
Can the Minister tell us when he expects to be in a position to take this particular decision?
My Department have initiated discussions with the Eastern Health Board. We will take a decision very quickly about the matter.