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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

103 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children when the necessary additional facilities will be available for dialysis in Cavan General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8300/01]

Responsibility for the provision of services at Cavan General Hospital rests with the North Eastern Health Board, which has statutory responsibility for the provision of health services in its functional area.

My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to reply directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Seán Ryan

Question:

104 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the failure of back-up systems for St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane, County Dublin, following the ESB supply failure during the recent bad weather which resulted in the residents of the hospital being without heating, light and hot meals for a considerable time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8301/01]

At 8.20 a.m. on Tuesday, 27 February 2001, the ESB electricity supply failed at St. Ita's Hospital due to bad weather conditions in the north Dublin area and the back-up generator at the hospital immediately went into operation. The following morning, Wednesday, 28 February, the back-up generator failed and could not be restarted. A new generator was hired and the power supply was restored by 4.05 p.m. that day. The ESB power supply was finally restored at 7.00 p.m. on Thursday, 1 March 2001.

During the course of the power failure, emergency measures were taken to secure the safety and comfort of residents and patients. Additional food was distributed and gas heaters and gas rings were supplied to wards, along with additional blankets. My Department was notified of the situation on Wednesday, 28 February, and immediately contacted the Department of Defence requesting army assistance. The Army Catering Corps was deployed and arrived at the campus at 4.10 p.m. that day and provided an emergency catering service. Hot meals were provided to all patients by 5.30 p.m. that evening.

Tender documentation was being prepared prior to this incident to replace the emergency generator at St. Ita's with a full capacity generator. Arrangements are being made to expedite this matter and, in the interim, the full capacity generator installed on Wednesday, 28 February, will remain on hire.

The chief executive officer of the Northern Area Board has asked the ESB to give the highest priority to maintaining the supply to St. Ita's campus in the event of a similar occurrence. A review of all emergency power supply arrangements at major residential premises within the board's area is also being undertaken.

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