asked the Minister for Health if he will state with regard to the provision of a new hospital in Galway (a) when the project was first mooted; (b) the present position; (c) its proposed size; (d) the types of patient for which it will cater; (e) its approximate cost; (f) the grant which will be made available from the Hospitals Trust Fund, and (g) when building will commence, and when it is expected to be completed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Hospital Plans.
(a) The provision of a new hospital in Galway was first mooted in 1932; (b) it is expected that a contract will be signed for the erection of the hospital within a week; (c) the new hospital will accommodate 458 patients, including beds available in existing buildings which are being retained; (d) the following types of patient will be catered for: surgical and medical, 318; ear, nose and throat, 12; ophthalmic, 12; children, 40; maternity and gynæcology, 60; isolation, 16; (e) the approximate cost of the hospital is £1,000,000; (f) a grant to meet the full approved cost will be made available from the Hospitals Trust Fund; (g) it is expected that work will commence very soon after the contract has been signed and that the whole undertaking will take three to four years to complete.