asked the Minister for Health if he will state with reference to a reply of 5th December last when he expects (a) the necessary planning and (b) the setting of contracts in relation to the new Saint Laurence's Hospital, Dublin, to be completed; and if he will expedite the work involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Hospital Building.
48.
It is not possible at this stage to give any reliable forecast as to when the planning and setting of contracts should be completed.
Before a final brief can be given for the drawing up of architectural and engineering plans it will be necessary to determine in some detail the requirements for the new hospital taking account of current and prospective developments. The recommendations which I hope to receive next spring from the Advisory Body on the general hospital services could have an important bearing on the decisions to be taken in this regard.
The setting of contracts will not arise until architectural and engineering plans have been agreed, bills of quantities prepared and tenders received.
All this will take some time, but I will do what I can to expedite the work involved.