asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if, as recently stated in the Press, he had ordered a local inquiry into the necessity, said to exist for the establishment of District and Cottage Hospitals in the County Galway, in towns far removed from the Central Hospital; if this proposed inquiry will be held at once, and in towns where this necessity is said to exist, and so give those interested an opportunity of giving evidence thereat; if he is aware that in addition to the hardships and suffering alleged to be inflicted and the danger to the public health by the risk of infection, that the Fever Hospital in Galway and the County Home at Loughrea are both overcrowded.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DISTRICT AND COTTAGE HOSPITALS IN CO. GALWAY.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The inquiry will be held, possibly early next month, as soon as public notice of the proposal has been given to all parties interested, and they will be afforded the facilities referred to by the Deputy.
The conditions in the two institutions mentioned in the last part of the question will receive attention at the inquiry. The extent of accommodation will be looked into at once.
Is the Minister aware of the necessity for great urgency in this matter, and will he see that this inquiry is ordered at the earliest possible moment?
I have taken steps to do that.
Mr. O'CONNELL
The Minister is a long time about it.