asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state on what grounds does he recommend the Roscommon Board of Health to put concrete floors covered with battleship linoleum in the wards of the proposed new county hospital instead of the wood block floors recommended by the board's architect.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roscommon County Hospital Flooring.
The Deputy is not quite correct in stating that the Roscommon Board of Health were recommended to use battleship linoleum for covering floors in the wards of the proposed new county hospital. The recommendation made to the board was to the effect that wood block floors should be omitted and lino or other simple floors substituted.
The use of battleship linoleum has been mentioned by the architect as an alternative to the use of wood block floors.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, may I assure him that he himself is misinformed? These recommendations were laid before me in my capacity as a member of the Roscommon Board of Health about a fortnight ago and we addressed questions to the Parliamentary Secretary's Department as to the reasons why they made such recommendations. One of the recommendations made from the Department is that for wood-block floors in the wards there should be substituted concrete floors covered with battleship linoleum. I have received remonstrances from many medical men in the county, and I feel sure no responsible authority would stand over such a recommendation on reflection. I shall be glad to hear now, if such a recommendation as concrete floors and battleship linoleum came from the Parliamentary Secretary's Department, that he will require it to be withdrawn.
The suggestion to substitute concrete floors with linoleum covering has been made by the architect, and is at present under consideration by the Department. I am not prepared to undertake to the Deputy that the recommendation will not be approved. Concrete flooring with linoleum covering is found to be a very satisfactory flooring, and more hygienic, economical and easier of disinfection than the wood-block floors. It appears that the blocks show a tendency to shrink and expand, and spaces appear between them; these spaces become filled with dust, and it is difficult to keep the floor in a hygienic condition.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary take steps to consult the medical profession of the county and the medical superintendent of the hospital before reaching a final conclusion to impose concrete floors with linoleum covering on the local authority?
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that concrete flooring is very tiring for the feet, and, if it is to be done, it would be better to cover it with rubber rather than linoleum?