Michael Smith
Question:11 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Health the basis for the decision to close down the surgical unit at Cashel, County Tipperary. [1602/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cashel (Tipperary) Surgical Unit Closure.
(Limerick East): This matter is now the subject of High Court proceedings and I do not wish to make any statement in this regard at present.
I appreciate the Minister's position and also the apprehension by my colleagues in South Tipperary who believed that the constituency revision had been completed at this stage. Most people who know the geography of that area will know that a considerable part of north and mid-Tipperary availed of the very excellent surgical services that were available in Cashel Hospital where many of my constituents are employed. Will the Minister meet a deputation on this matter or will he consider the provision of additional surgical beds at the County Hospital in Nenagh, which will be required as a result of the closure of the services at Cashel?
(Limerick East): I have made my decision and the Deputy is aware that it involved the reorganisation of services on a widespread basis in South Tipperary, particularly in the towns of Cashel, Clonmel and Tipperary Town. That decision, which was requested by the South-Eastern Health Board, is being challenged in the High Court and I cannot say any more about it.