Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Jan 1991

Vol. 404 No. 5

Written Answers. - Waterford Hospital.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

75 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health if it is proposed to reduce his Department's subvention to Belmont Park Hospital in Waterford; whether it is intended to discontinue the services currently provided by this hospital; and if closure is imminent, if he will outline his plans to provide an alternative service in this area.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

76 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the rate of subvention paid by his Department to Belmont Park Hospital, Waterford for each of the last five years.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together.

Belmont Park Hospital, which is owned by the Brothers of Charity, is funded as part of my Department's annual revenue allocations to the Brothers of Charity in respect of their total service. The apportionment of this allocation to the individual services is a matter for the order.

The brothers have indicated that the annual apportionment of the allocation to their services in the South-Eastern Health Board area in years 1986-1991 was as follows: 1986, £1.85 million; 1987, £1.97 million; 1988, £1.93 million; 1989, £1.99 million; 1990, £2.23 million; 1991, £2.41 million.

The Brothers of Charity are considering with the South-Eastern Health Board how their respective services can best be organised for the provision of an improved alcoholism and mental handicap service in the Waterford area. Discussions are on-going at present between the brothers and the board. The brothers have no intention of closing Belmont Park although its current range of services may be changed in the context of the service review.