asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the county medical officer for health for County Mayo recommended in his report for 1943 that a sanatorium should be built in Castlebar as the present sanatorium at Creagh is badly placed and is difficult of access to patients and their relatives, many of whom are 80 miles from it; and if he will state what steps, if any, have been taken by his Department for the erection of a sanatorium in the best geographical and administrative part of County Mayo.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - County Mayo Sanatorium.
I have seen the report of the county medical officer of health for County Mayo dealing with sanatorium treatment. Such reports are always addressed to the local authority and not to my Department. The provision of accommodation for tuberculous patients resident in its area who are in need of institutional treatment is a function of the local authority. Subsequent to the issue of the medical officer's report a request was received in my Department from the local authority for sanction to the erection of chalets for ten to 20 patients in St. Teresa's Sanatorium as a temporary measure. This proposal was later revised by the local authority to include accommodation for 32 patients. Full details thereof have not yet been submitted by the local authority.