Bernard Allen
Question:16 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the future of the Army hospital at Collins Barracks, Cork.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Hospital Cork.
As I indicated in reply to Question No. 77 on 19 June 1991, the Military Hospital, Collins Barracks, Cork, was reclassified earlier this year as a district hospital with a capacity of 32 beds. The reclassification did not entail any reduction in the staff of the hospital.
Can the Minister tell the House how it is planned to treat Army personnal who need medical treatment which cannot be provided in the district hospital? What compensation is paid to people who have to travel to Dublin and elsewhere for surgical and other treatments which were previously provided at the military hospital at Collins Barracks, Cork?
I have an amount of information about this hospital but the main point is that it was decided, in the interest of efficiency and economy, that the surgical procedures under general anaesthetic should be discontinued at the military hospital at Collins Barracks with effect from 1 June 1991. In recent years surgery carried out at the hospital was generally only of a very minor nature. Members of the Permanent Defence Forces in the Cork area who require surgical treatment are generally treated in the local civilian hospitals.
Will the Department of Defence meet the extra expenses now being incurred by Army personnel who were previously treated at the military hospital at Collins Barracks and who are now forced to attend other hospitals in Cork or to travel to Dublin? Will the Minister consider providing compensation for these people?
I have no information on any major expenditure arising from this change. If the Deputy has information in this respect I will certainly have it examined to see what can be done.