asked the Minister for Health if he will state whether a new county hospital has been sanctioned for County Longford; and, if so, whether he will state (a) the date upon which sanction was given; (b) the date upon which an architect was appointed; (c) whether final plans for the hospital have yet been sanctioned; (d) how many sets of plans have been prepared; (e) the latest estimate which has been made of the cost of the proposed building, and (f) the date upon which it is anticipated the works will be ready to go to contract.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Longford Hospital.
The erection of a new county hospital has been sanctioned for County Longford. (a) Sanction was originally given on 5th October, 1932, and, following the recent review of hospital works to be included in the short term hospital building programme, approval was again given on 31st July, 1948. (b) Approval to the appointment of the architect was given on 14th July, 1933. (c) Final plans for this hospital have not yet been prepared and, therefore, the question of sanction has not arisen. (d) A preliminary sketch scheme was submitted to my Department in May last. I understand that in 1935 a sketch scheme was prepared but was not submitted to my Department. (e) Until a final sketch scheme has been approved it would not be possible to obtain a dependable estimate as to the probable cost. (f) The commencing date for the work will depend on the time taken to complete the remaining stages of planning. So far as my Department is concerned, every effort will be made to expedite the work.
Raise it on the Adjournment.