asked the Minister for Health if he will list the unnecessary and obsolete facilities and institutions, which it was stated in the budget speech of the Minister for Finance would be removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Hospital Closures.
22.
One of the objectives of this Government, in so far as the health services are concerned, is the continuous rationalisation of the services so that maximum benefit can be gained from modern developments and new approaches to health care. Part of this rationalisation process is to identify and discontinue, on a continuing basis, those services and facilities which have been replaced or which must be discontinued in order to make way for new developments. It was in this context that the Minister for Finance stated in his budget speech that unnecessary and obsolete institutions would be phased out. The specific facilities and institutions he had in mind were the eight hospitals which I have since announced are to be closed. The eight hospitals involved are: Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital, St. Patrick's Infant Hospital, Blackrock, Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, Cork, Killarney Isolation Hospital, Castlerea Mental Hospital, Roscrea District Hospital, Longford County Hospital, St. Dympna's Mental Hospital, Carlow.
Since the date of the Budget Statement, Longford County Hospital has closed.
Questions Nos. 23 and 24 re-entered for oral reply.