asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the present low state of hygiene in St. Brigid's Hospital, Ardee, County Louth, as a result of a continuing industrial dispute concerning the appointment of domestic help there; if the concern of the staff, the patients and their families has been brought to his notice, especially as Ardee is the only psychiatric hospital in Ireland without sufficient domestic staff to maintain the wards in a bearable habitable state; and if anything can be done to alleviate the suffering of the patients as a result of the condition of the hospital wards which have not been properly serviced since January last.
Written Answers. - Ardee (Louth) Hospital.
894.
I am aware of the present situation in St. Brigid's Hospital, Ardee, where nursing staff have withdrawn from the performance of certain domestic duties on wards in the hospital. Staff of my Department are in contact with the North-Eastern Health Board regarding the dispute. The board are satisfied that conditions in the hospital are not such as to cause hardship to patients. Efforts are continuing to resolve the situation as soon as possible given the current restrictions on the recruitment of staff in the public service.