asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that strong local feeling exists against the proposal to close, at some future date, the Lismore District Hospital, and that those concerned are anxious, in the circumstances, to have a definite assurance that the plans which are stated to have been formulated and passed by the Local Government inspectors and engineers for the building of a new fever and district hospital at Lismore will be adhered to.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lismore District Hospital.
I am not aware of any proposal to discontinue the District Hospital at Lismore. The question of the most suitable site for the new district and fever hospitals is at present under consideration.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary any information as to the architect's report on this matter? I understand that the architect suggested the abolition of the present building and the clearance of the site, so as to allow of a new district hospital and a new fever hospital being erected thereon in the form of a bungalow?
The District Hospital was part of an old workhouse unit. The report of the architects to the Board of Assistance states that as a result of their inspection they were satisfied that the suggestion as to remodelling the boardroom wing of the old workhouse to form a modern district hospital is impracticable, and also that the present fever unit, with the inclusion of the present district hospital, cannot be replanned as a modern fever unit. The architects, therefore, suggested that the entire site be cleared and that a new district hospital and a new fever hospital be erected on the site in such position as may be found suitable. The Board of Assistance were asked, on the 2nd May, 1935, to obtain a report from the architects as to the most suitable position for the two hospitals, and this report is awaited.