asked the Minister for Health when he is likely to sanction proposed alterations to the nurses' and domestic homes attached to St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh, Finglas, County Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cappagh (Dublin) Hospital.
10.
The authorities of St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh, have submitted an application for a grant from the Hospitals Trust Fund towards the cost of providing improved and extended accommodation for nursing and domestic staff. The application is at present under consideration in my Department in conjunction with similar proposals for improved staff accommodation from other hospital authorities. In so far as voluntary hospital authorities are concerned, the Hospitals Trust Fund is the only source available to me as Minister for Health from which assistance towards the cost of such projects can be given. The available moneys in the Fund and the prospective income over the next few years that can be set aside for capital projects have already been practically fully committed for many other urgent hospital works.
It is possible, however, that where an urgent need can be established and where the cost of the work involved would not impose an undue burden on the Fund it might be feasible to make limited assistance available. Each case has to be considered, however, not only on its own merits but also in relation to other competing claims. I expect in the present instance to be in a position to convey a decision to the hospital authorities in the near future.