asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the kidney dialysis machines at Limerick Regional Hospital, which were purchased by private subscriptions collected by the Limerick Lions Club, are still lying unused in the hospital while numerous patients from the Limerick region still have to travel to Dublin or Cork several times a week; and, if he will now take steps without further delay to enable the machines to be used, particularly as the necessary nursing staff have been trained in their use and that great and unnecessary hardship is being caused to kidney patients in the Limerick region by the nonuse of the machines.
Written Answers. - Limerick Regional Hospital Renal Dialysis Unit.
69.
In July 1984, I approved an allocation of funds for the Mid-Western Health Board to allow the construction of the new Renal Dialysis Unit at Limerick Regional Hospital to proceed. I am aware that the kidney dialysis unit is not yet operational. To open the unit it will be necessary for the health board to find the resources from within their existing allocation. I have recommended that this should be done by the re-deployment of resources from areas of lesser priority and I am awaiting the board's proposals on the matter.