Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Declan Bree

Question:

148 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the complaints of a number of parents regarding the paediatric unit at Sligo General Hospital; if his attention has further been drawn to the condition of the unit; the upgrading and refurbishment works, if any, planned for this paediatric unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1077/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I have been advised by the North-Western Health Board that it has not received any complaints from parents regarding the paediatric unit at Sligo General Hospital. However, the board has further advised that it has received correspondence from the Deputy in which he referred to complaints received from his constituents. The board investigated these matters and a reply issued to the Deputy in this regard.

The board has identified the upgrading and refurbishing of the paediatric unit at Sligo General Hospital as a priority development need. The works proposed by the North-Western Health Board are in two stages and funding was provided by my Department to allow the first stage of the works to be undertaken and completed in 1996. Proposals for further works at the paediatric unit will be considered as sympathetically as possible in the context of identified health priorities and the resources available.