asked the Minister for Health if he has received any proposals from the Southern Health Board regarding the geriatric unit at Kenmare Hospital, County Kerry.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Hospitals.
6.
I have not received any such proposals.
7.
asked the Minister for Health when a new County Hospital will be built in Tralee, County Kerry.
8.
asked the Minister for Health (a) if his Department received the results of the trial borings carried out on the site for the new County Hospital at Tralee, County Kerry and if they are satisfied with them; (b) if any decision has been reached in regard to the number of beds to be provided in the hospital; and (c) when tenders are likely to be invited for the erection of the hospital.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.
Trial borings were carried out before the acquisition of the site was approved. They indicated that in general the site was suitable for the purposes of building a hospital. Further borings will be necessary to determine which sections of the site can be most economically developed and the Southern Health Board are being asked to make the necessary arrangements in that regard.
Decisions were conveyed to the former health authority regarding the total number of beds to be provided in the new hospital. Questions have since been raised regarding certain details and a meeting is to be held in the near future with officers of the Southern Health Board to discuss these matters.
It will probably take about two and half years before the planning of the hospital is completed. The question of inviting tenders will be considered at that stage in the light of the general level of funds likely to be available for hospital building projects in the following years.