asked the Minister for Health whether he has received building proposals from the Board of Stewart's Hospital, Palmerstown, Dublin, for the provision of sixty extra beds for child mental defectives; and, if so, when he hopes to be in a position to sanction these proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Accommodation for Mentally Defective Children.
5.
Proposals were submitted to my Department for the making available of additional ward accommodation for mentally handicapped children at Stewart's Hospital by means of converting portion of the main hospital building at present used for other purposes and by increasing the number of patients whom it was felt could be accommodated in the separate unit which caters specifically for severely mentally handicapped patients.
I have intimated to the Hospital Committee of Management that I see no objection to the acceptance by them of a tender for reconstruction works, subject to certain modifications, in the main hospital building and I have promised to make the necessary grant available to meet the cost involved. A grant was paid to the Committee of Management last February for the purchase of the cots and bedding necessary for the additional patients who are to be accommodated in the unit which caters for severely mentally handicapped patients.