asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that a consultant engineer and a quantity surveyor have been appointed for the carrying out of the Cahirciveen hospital scheme; and, if so, whether he can say when the contract documents for the building of the hospital will be approved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cahirciveen Hospital Scheme.
On the 30th May last the local authority were asked for their proposals for the appointment of a quantity surveyor and consulting engineer for this work and it was only on 28th September that their proposals were submitted. I have indicated my agreement to the appointment of the quantity surveyor, but in the case of the consulting engineer I am not satisfied that the proposal submitted is acceptable and I have queried the local authority in the matter. As regards the architectural planning, I have conveyed my views to the local authority on the final sketch scheme and if these are accepted the next stage is the preparation of working drawings. I cannot say when the contract documents will be approved since they have not yet been prepared, but I can assure the Deputy that so far as my Department is concerned every effort will be made to facilitate an early start being made with the building of this hospital.