asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that staff members are living in condemned houses at Portrane Mental Hospital and if he can state the reason why his Department has delayed plans for six new houses since September, 1952; and if he is also aware that sanction is awaited for the repair and extension of many staff houses there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Portrane Mental Hospital: Staff Houses.
A proposal to provide six new staff houses at Portrane Mental Hospital was received in my Department on the 26th November, 1952, and the mental hospital authority was informed on the 24th April, 1953, that the proposal was approved in principle. Subsequently, on the 22nd May, 1953, the plans for the houses and the site proposed were also approved.
There are no proposals before my Department at present for the repair and extension of staff houses at Portrane Mental Hospital.
Could the Minister say whether, in fact, six houses on the Portrane estate have officially been condemned by the local authority?
I could not say offhand.