asked the Minister for Health if he proposed to give sanction for the closure of St. Mary's Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; the outcome of discussions between his officials, the North Eastern Health Board and the Board of Drogheda Cottage Hospital; if there will be a reduction in geriatric beds in Drogheda; and if there will be any job losses.
Written Answers. - Drogheda, Louth, Hospitals.
266.
My Department, the North-Eastern Health Board and the authorities at Drogheda Cottage Hospital are currently engaged in discussions as to the future role of the cottage hospital. The intention is that Drogheda Cottage Hospital would take on the role of providing long-stay geriatric accommodation for the area which would facilitate the closure of St. Mary's which is the existing long stay hospital in Drogheda. These discussions, while at an advanced stage, are not concluded and pending the conclusion of the discussions I am not able to say what the exact position will be in relation to staff and bed numbers.