Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 5

Written Answers. - Weighing Scales.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

81 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health his views on whether chair weighing scales should be made available in maternity hospitals for women with disabilities in view of the facts that currently these women have to avail of scales in the Central Remedial Clinic and that this incurs additional travel and can cause inconvenience to the persons involved. [11884/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The Deputy will be aware that it is a matter, in the first instance, for all hospitals to identify their equipment needs and then, if necessary, to request assistance from my Department. All such requests are considered in the context of available capital funding. However, my Department has received no request from a maternity hospital for such equipment.