Vol. 509 No. 6
385 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the upgrading of the male admission unit at St. Loman's hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21702/99]
The Midland Health Board adopted a report in May, 1998 to commence upgrading of facilities at St. Loman's hospital, Mullingar. Detailed plans have been drafted for the upgrading of the male admission unit at St. Loman's hospital and some preparatory work on costing the project has been carried out. In the course of an examination of the male admission side, the necessity to remove asbestos was identified and this work had to be completed before any other work commenced in the male admission unit. It is expected that the main work will proceed on this scheme early next year.
The Midland Health Board has committed £1 million from the proceeds of the sale of land at St. Loman's to the refurbishment programme at the hospital and these moneys will be expended when the admission block work proceeds as outlined above. My Department also provided £0.841 million in the last two years for upgrading and minor capital works at the hospital. The allocation also enabled the purchase of beds, lockers and equipment which would be necessary when the planned refurbishment is completed.
