asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his attention has been called to the statement in the second annual report of the county medical officer of health for Kilkenny to the effect that the law relating to the prevention of tuberculosis is very defective, and whether it is his intention to introduce proposals for legislation with the object of remedying these defects, and, if so, whether he will state when such proposals will be available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Tuberculosis (County Kilkenny).
The statement referred to has come under my notice. The question of amending the Tuberculosis Acts so as to provide for compulsory notification of all cases of tuberculosis and the control of the spread of infection has been under consideration in the Department for some time past. No final decision has yet been arrived at.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say when he hopes to be able to announce a decision?
As soon as policy has been determined—as soon as possible.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his attention has been called to the statement of the medical officer of health for County Kilkenny that patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis are being treated in institutions which are wholly unsuitable and totally inadequate for the purpose, and whether, in view of the repeated demands of the county medical officer for an open-air hospital in County Kilkenny, he is prepared to make money available for the erection of such institution.
My attention has been called to the statement referred to, which is intended apparently to apply to the county sanatorium and the central hospital, Kilkenny. As regards the county sanatorium, it is primarily intended for the reception of advanced cases of tuberculosis, and it is not correct to describe it as wholly unsuitable and totally inadequate for the purpose. Under the approved County Kilkenny tuberculosis scheme, early and moderately advanced cases of the disease may be sent for treatment to Peamount sanatorium, and whenever beds are not available in that institution they may be sent to Newcastle sanatorium. The central hospital, Kilkenny, has been approved for cases of surgical tuberculosis in the same way as other county hospitals, but cases which cannot suitably be dealt with there may be sent to institutions in Dublin approved for the purpose if application is made to my Department. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to the reply to his question of the 25th February last.
Are we to understand from the Parliamentary Secretary that any county board of health that applies to the Minister for leave to send a case of surgical tuberculosis to an institution in Dublin will get accommodation for that patient in Dublin?
If the Minister is satisfied that suitable accommodation cannot be found in any local institution and that suitable treatment cannot be provided there, accommodation will be found in a Dublin hospital for such cases.