asked the Minister for Health whether his attention has been drawn to statements with regard to the extreme shortage of staff and space at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, and the fact that many patients had to wait up to six months for eye operations; whether he has any comment to make on this matter; and whether he will take steps to improve the facilities for the treatment of patients suffering from eye defects.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shortage of Staff at Dublin Hospital.
3.
I understand that the statement regarding alleged shortage of staff in the hospital was as follows:-
"Although nursing staff, secretarial staff and domestic staff have all been increased, no increase in resident medical staff has been permitted."
I have no knowledge of the implication of that statement. The hospital concerned is a voluntary hospital. I have, therefore, no functions in regard to staffing. The Hospitals Commission could be concerned, to the extent that if it felt that the staffing was excessive, it would not be prepared to agree that the cost of the excess staff should rank for deficit recoupment purposes; but the commission has informed me that it has not been approached by the hospital authority in regard to the matter. It is possible, therefore, that the statement was directed to the hospital authority. I have no information on this point and, as the Deputy knows, since the hospital is a voluntary one, it would be ultra vires for me to make any inquiry.
I should say that, in order to relieve the pressure on the ophthalmic department of the hospital, I have undertaken to authorise a grant from the Hospitals Trust Fund to meet the cost of adaptation works which will provide an additional ward unit of 16 beds. The question of the enlargement of the eye theatre is also under consideration.