asked the Minister for Health when it is anticipated that work will commence on the construction of the rehabilitation workshop to provide employment for the disabled in Swords, County Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of Disabled.
18.
I am not in a position at present to indicate when work will commence on the construction of this workshop. This will depend on the availability of finance to the Eastern Health Board for the development of workshop facilities generally for the disabled in its area.
Can the Minister say whether a start was made on the workshop at Swords?
Approval of the development was given. It is a question of resources being available to continue it.
Can the Minister say whether work of any nature was carried out on the site which was provided by the local authority?
The Deputy will have to put that question down. At the moment I have no direct information on any detail there but the project is ready to go ahead as soon as the resources are available.
Is the Minister not aware that in July of 1979 his predecessor turned the sod to commence the building of this workshop and that a sign is erected there ever since? All that has happened is that the sod is turned so long that the grass is growing on the underside of it. Is that not in the file?
The health board gave Ballyfermot as their first priority for a new workshop and they are currently discussing the plans for that with the National Rehabilitation Board.
Will the Minister give an assurance——
A final supplementary.
Is the Minister giving an assurance that Swords is now second on the health board priority list or is another centre nearer to the Minister's bailiewick to intervene in the interim?
I am not aware of any centre near to my bailiewick.
Question No. 19.
I asked if Swords is second on the health board priority list.
That is a matter for the health board.
The Chair should know this site as he passes it every day. There is a sign that says that the sod was turned in July last year and nothing has happened since.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Minister please reply to Question No. 19?
The Minister is adept at turning sods. The Minister turned a few sods in Donegal. I wonder how long it will be before buildings are erected there.
I turned one sod at the beginning of October and the builder was on the job before the end of October.
He was — to his surprise.