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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Dec 1981

Vol. 331 No. 12

Written Answers. - Hospitals Facilities.

436.

asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the restrictions on hip operations etc. in St. Mary's Hospital, Gurranebrahar, Cork; the plans she has for expanding the existing operating facilities and increasing the staff there; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

I am not aware of any restrictions on hip operations or other operations at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranebraher. However because of the increasing demand for hip operations over the past few years waiting lists for this procedure have built up. These are being dealt with as quickly as possible. To meet the situation two additional orthopaedic surgeons have been. appointed to the hospital over the past few years. The Southern Health Board have also submitted a proposal to provide a new operating theatre suite at the hospital, which will have four operating theatres, to replace the two existing theatres. It has not been possible to allow this scheme to proceed in view of the limited resources available, but it will be considered again having regard to the capital funds available in 1982 and the priority the health board attach to it at the time.

An application for additional back-up staff for the hospital is under consideration, but the question of the appointment of such extra staff would depend on the availability of funds for new posts next year and to the priority the health board attach to these.

437.

asked the Minister for Health if she will approve the tender for the operating theatre and ancillary works at Tullamore General Hospital, County Offaly.

I am not in a position to indicate when it will be possible to approve the tender for the operating theatre and ancillary works at Tullamore General Hospital. A decision in regard to this will depend upon the availability of capital resources.

438.

asked the Minister for Health when approval will be given for a tender submitted to her Department on 20 August last for the provision of new orthopaedic theatres at Merlin Park Hospital, Galway.

I am not in a position to indicate when approval will be given for the acceptance of tenders for the provision of new orthopaedic theatres at Merlin Park Regional Hospital. A decision in regard to this will depend upon the availability of capital resource.

439.

asked the Minister for Health the present position in relation to the extension to Listowel District Hospital which will replace the present 30 bed unit at St. Josephs Hospital, Listowel, County Kerry.

My Department have been in consultation with the Southern Health Board regarding clarification of some issues in relation to the tenders obtained for the proposed extension to Listowel District Hospital. A decision to allow the scheme to proceed will depend however on the availability of capital resource.

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