asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state when the plans and estimates for the erection of a county hospital at Portlaoighise, County Laoighis, were first received in his Department; the cause of the delay in approving of same; and when he hopes to authorise the Commissioner now administering the affairs of this county to invite tenders for the erection of this new hospital.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of Laoighis Hospital.
The plans for the new hospital were received on the 19th March, 1935, and they were approved on the 8th May, 1935. No estimates have been received.
The contract drawings and specifications were received on the 14th September, 1935, and the general specification was returned to the architect for amendment on the 27th October, 1935. It was received back, amended, from the architect on the 20th November, and this document, together with the contract drawings, is at present under consideration.
It will be observed that the documents required to enable a decision to be reached were received only three weeks ago and I do not consider any undue delay is taking place before signifying approval, having regard to the nature and extent of the works proposed and their importance, which demand that all plans and specifications in connection therewith be very carefully examined and considered.
It is impossible to say when the work will be advertised, as when the contract drawings are approved, the matter will have to be referred to the quantity surveyor to take out quantities. We have no idea how long the quantity surveyor will take to do this work.