asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to have a new and up-to-date dispensary provided at Mountmellick, County Laois, in view of the existing unsatisfactory accommodation.
4.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mountmellick Dispensary and County Home.
3.
asked the Minister for Health what is the cause of the delay in giving sanction to the proposal of Laois County Council to reconstruct and improve the county home at Mountmellick; and if sanction will now be given for an immediate commencement of the work in view of the present decaying state of the building.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
The proposal to provide a new dispensary at Mountmellick is a small part of the general scheme for the reconstruction of the County Home at Mountmellick inasmuch as it is intended to convert the present dispensary for use as a laundry in the reconstructed institution and to build a new dispensary at the proposed new entrance to the County Home.
Proposals for the comprehensive County Home improvement scheme had reached sketch plan stage in 1956. Further progress in the matter had to be deferred by reason of the general financial difficulties which subsequently developed. In March, 1959, due to an improvement in the general financial situation and having regard to the urgent necessity for improving conditions in County Homes, I decided that a number of County Home improvement schemes, including the Mountmellick project, could proceed. Accordingly, in May of that year, my Department requested the local authority to re-examine the original planning proposals for the Mountmellick County Home with a view to making any alterations which might have become necessary by reason of changes in the numbers to be accommodated. The local re-examination was completed and revised proposals were submitted to my Department in October, 1959.
These proposals have since been examined in detail and sanction has been given to the local authority to proceed to preparation of constructional drawings and specification. I can assure the Deputy that every effort will be made by my Department to clear the final planning documents, when submitted, so that tenders for the works involved can be invited at the earliest possible date.