asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the provision of a new maternity hospital on the north side of Dublin to cater for the people who are unable to get accommodation in the city hospitals.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Maternity Hospital Accommodation.
11.
As I said in reply to a recent question, the overall maternity accommodation in Dublin has been adequate to meet the needs of the situation, although the unequal incidence of demand has put pressure on some hospitals. This pressure has arisen, for example, in the Rotunda Hospital while, at the same time, there have been on average during 1969 about 38 vacant beds in the maternity unit of St. Kevin's Hospital. I am, however, keeping the position under constant review and if developments are such that additional beds are needed, I shall give special considerations to their location so as to ensure that the most efficient service is provided.
I have received complaints from people who are unable to obtain hospital facilities in the city of Dublin for maternity purposes. Surely, with the expanding population in Ballyfermot, Finglas, Coolock and other such areas, there must be a need for a maternity hospital in that area? There is no maternity hospital there except small nursing homes.
We are keeping the positions under review. Between 1964 and 1968 the total number of births in the Dublin city area did not increase. Then there was a rather surprising increase in 1969. We are looking again at the future requirements. It is quite essential, in my view, that the vacant beds in the first-class maternity unit of St. Kevin's Hospital should fully be occupied. At the same time, we are looking at the position in the Rotunda in regard to some pre-natal beds and some improvements in the Rotunda generally.