asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if it is a fact that in March, 1936, a communication was sent to the West Cork Board of Health saying that after due inspection and report by officials of his Department, it had been decided that Bantry was fixed on as the most suitable place for a central hospital for the West Cork area; and if so, what steps are now required to be taken to put this decision into effect and when will such steps be taken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Central Hospital for West Cork.
In March, 1936, a communication was sent from my Department to the West Cork Board of Health and Public Assistance in which it was intimated that the Hospitals Commission had recommended the development of the hospital at Bantry as a hospital for major medical and surgical work for the West Cork county district. Ordinarily the steps necessary to give effect to the proposal would have been initiated by the board, but so far as I am aware no definite action appears to have been taken. The commitments of the Hospitals Trust Fund exclude any possibility at present of allocating further grants for the provision of new hospitals.
Would the Minister still consider the possibility of developing this hospital as the principal hospital for the area?
The principle of developing the hospital at Bantry as the principal hospital for the area has not been departed from, but, owing to the present position of the Hospitals Trust Fund, further extension of the hospital cannot be undertaken just at the moment.