asked the Minister for Health when it is hoped to be able to provide extra accommodation for tuberculosis patients in Cork county.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Accommodation for Tuberculosis Patients (County Cork).
Through the co-operation of the Waterford County Council 55 beds in St. Carthage's Hospital, Lismore and Ardkeen Chest Hospital, are being made available for Cork patients immediately. Following a recent discussion which I had with representatives of the Joint Committee of Management of Cork Sanatoria I am approaching the Waterford authority with a view to the reservation of a further 40 beds which will shortly be available in Ardkeen Chest Hospital for Cork patients. In addition I have agreed to a proposal that the joint committee should negotiate for the acquisition of additional accommodation in Cork which might be used for the accommodation of tuberculosis patients pending the completion, in about two years' time, of the Regional Sanatorium at Glanmire. By all of these means I am hopeful that within a few months Cork tuberculosis patients will be able to secure admission to a sanatorium without undue delay.