asked the Minister for Health if he will receive a deputation from the Southern Health Board in connection with his decision to close St. Anne's Isolation Hospital in Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter having regard to recent decisions taken by the health board, including a proposal that he should meet a deputation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Killarney Hospital Closure.
3.
I have agreed to meet a deputation from the Southern Health Board in association with members of Killarney Urban District Council and staff representatives of St. Anne's Hospital. This meeting will take place on 30 April.
I thank the Minister for indicating his intention to receive this deputation and I look forward to joining them when they meet. Is the Minister aware that the people of Killarney and south Kerry are greatly concerned about the proposed closures in the Killarney hospitals which appear to have emanated from his Department and particularly regarding his decision to close down the Killarney isolation hospital? Having regard to recent decisions taken by the Southern Health Board, will he confirm now that his proposals originated in his Department with his knowledge and consent?
I will make one comment on it by way of reply. The Killarney isolation hospital, as the Deputy knows, is GP staffed. It is the last remaining hospital of this type in the country. All other infectious diseases units in the country are consultant staffed and function as part of or in association with major hospitals. Therefore, the infectious disease patients treated in this hospital would be far more appropriately treated in a general hospital. I have been considering that in the context of the Tralee General Hospital which opened in 1984. I hope to discuss the matter in detail with the delegation from the Southern Health Board. I assure the Deputy that every effort will be made on the Department's part to accommodate the interests concerned. Apart from that, I do not propose to elaborate on the discussion I will have with the deputation. The Deputy, of course, will be part of that deputation.
Is the Minister aware of the immense pressure on hospital beds in the Killarney area and south Kerry generally? It is very difficult for the public to understand the reasoning and thinking behind the closure of the Killarney isolation hospital. Is the Minister aware also of the serious concern of trade union members in Killarney at the consequences which job losses in Killarney hospital could have for staff and the local community?
A number of options are open to the health board and to the Department on this matter and I propose to discuss them with the deputation who will have representatives from the Southern Health Board. The Deputy will agree with me that it is best that we both await the outcome of that deputation.
The Minister should take into consideration that there are 3,000 geriatric patients in County Kerry for places in geriatric homes. This isolation hospital has been used as a geriatric hospital partially for the past nine or ten years. The Minister should take that into consideration when he is making his decision in regard to keeping that hospital open.
Is the Minister aware of the Taoiseach's statements in relation to the Minister's announcement of closures, that they were a foul-up, inadequate and premature, and due to human imperfection the matter was communicated badly? Will the Minister comment on the Taoiseach's statements as carried in the Roscommon Champion of 11 April?
That is not relevant to the question.
I would like the Minister's views. The Taoiseach made the statement about the Minister's announcement in relation to Killarney, St. Patrick's Hospital in Castlerea, Carlow Hospital and other hospitals.
The Deputy's comments are invariably premature.
Is it the Taoiseach the Deputy is speaking about?
The Minister should know what he is saying. He has mentioned how he is selling us short in Roscommon and elsewhere.