Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 9

Written Answers. - County Sligo Health Care Facilities.

Edward Nealon

Question:

167 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Tubbercurry District Community Council, County Sligo, which has carried out exceptional organisational and fund-raising work in order to obtain a day care clinic, nursing unit and welfare home for the area, is considering withdrawing the excellent site for the project which they have given to the North-Western Health Board and his Department because of the delay in starting work on the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Edward Nealon

Question:

168 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the delay in starting work on the planned day care clinic, nursing unit and welfare home for Tubbercurry, County Sligo is excessive in view of the fact that the first sod was turned by the Taoiseach in June 1988; the reason for the delay in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Edward Nealon

Question:

169 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, despite the fact that the Taoiseach turned the first sod on the site of the day care clinic, nursing unit and welfare home in Tubbercurry, County Sligo in June 1988, no further progress has been made since then with construction work; the reason for the delay in this case; whether funding for the work is available from his Department; when funding for the work is available from his Department; when construction work will begin; the procedures which have to be advanced in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 167, 168 and 169 together.

I am fully aware of the details of this scheme, the plans of which have been the subject of detailed consideration between the North-Western Health Board and my Department. Revised plans have now been approved in principle and it has been agreed that the scheme will proceed on a phased basis with the day facilities and health centre being provided as the first phase. I have already allocated £75,000 to the scheme from lottery funds and the allocation of the balance of the resources required will be considered as sympathetically as possible in the light of the many competing demands on the limited capital resources available to my Department.