asked the Minister for Health the reason work on the replacement of St. Oliver Plunkett's Hospital, Dundalk, County Louth, has not yet commenced; and when work is likely to begin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dundalk Hospital Replacement.
9.
Planning on this project is not yet completed. Planning has reached an advanced stage and is continuing. I am not yet in a position to indicate when building is likely to commence but I am keeping the matter under review.
Is the Minister aware of a fire closure order in regard to this institution? If so, would he not regard it as indicating that the utmost priority should be given to the commencement of the building because of the fire risk involved?
We are dealing here with St. Oliver Plunkett's Hospital, Dundalk, for which, again, I gave approval to proceed. A limited number were withdrawn from the capital programme last year and Deputies have taken the opportunity of putting each one of these down for question, St. Oliver Plunkett's Hospital is one. This geriatric hospital is in a very poor condition, which is why I put it into the programme. I was very anxious to re-establish it as soon as possible.
I do not wish to pursue the matter, but would the Minister look into the history of the planning of this new replacement hospital, particularly with reference to the fire closure order?
I certainly will, Deputy. I agree that it is of particular urgency and will be one of my high priorities.
Accepting what Deputy Markey says in regard to the fire order and the age of the hospital, would the Minister confirm that the delay has been caused, in some instances, by the health board making alterations in the proposed plans for this new replacement hospital?
This would be a matter of the history of the delay up to this time. Notwithstanding that, it was one of the units included and it would have been started before the end of 1981 if the original programme had been adhered to. I have to agree with both Deputies that it should have priority.
Is the Minister stating that the hospital in question was deleted by the previous administration from the capital programme?
Yes. It was removed from the capital programme last year, with a number of others. No provision was made for these this year. That is my problem now.
That is not the problem.
A final supplementary, please.
Would the Minister not consider please, in the light of the urgency which he expressed about this hospital and the fact that it was deleted by the previous administration, that it should now be returned immediately to the list for replacement?
It is a pity that the Deputy did not ask the question several months ago.
I will be very anxious to do that, once I can find the resources to do it. I am looking for those, currently.
I trust that the Minister will find them.
Question No. 10.