asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state what is the present position in connection with the proposed new hospital for Longford; if he has given approval to the board of health's proposal for a site; if he has made any request to the Minister for Defence for the acquisition of the barracks in Longford; if he will state why he refused to sanction the price offered by the board of health to the Protestant Church Body for their lands; and if he is aware that the price offered is a reasonable one, and that the house and buildings thereon are good value for the money offered, without considering the value of the land; and if he is aware that £150 per acre has been paid at Longford for land for the grazing of cows.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Site of Longford Hospital.
As regards the first and second parts of the question, I understand that the acquistion of a suitable site is at present engaging the attention of the local authority.
As regards the third part of the question, no request has been made by me to the Minister for Defence in respect of the acquisition of the site of the military barracks at Longford.
As regards the fourth and fifth parts of the question, the price offered by the local authority for the lands was not approved for the reason that it was considered excessive.
Arising out of the reply, can the Parliamentary Secretary say by whom the price was considered excessive? Is he aware, as outlined in the latter part of the question, that land was purchased at £150 an acre in an adjoining district for grazing purposes?
I am not aware of the price of land in the neighbourhood. I have no personal knowledge of it, but the Department of Valuation advised us that the price proposed for the hospital site was excessive.
Does not the answer of the Parliamentary Secretary mean that there is a deadlock? As the Department will not agree to the price, does not that mean that the land cannot be got, and that we are not going to get an hospital in Longford? Is the Minister aware of the great necessity for an hospital in Longford?
Quite.
The difference between the price is going to delay matters.
There is scope here for the local Deputies.