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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Mar 1972

Vol. 259 No. 8

Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Dublin Hospital.

9.

asked the Minister for Health the financial conditions under which the funds accruing from the sale of St. Vincent's Hospital are disposed.

The sale of the old St. Vincent's Hospital, which is the property of the Irish Sisters of Charity, is a private transaction. I have no knowledge, therefore, of what financial conditions obtain in regard to the disposal of the moneys accruing from the sale of the hospital.

Other extensive property which is owned by the Sisters in the area, including the private nursing homes fronting on Lower Leeson Street, is being transferred by them to the State.

Is it not a fact that an agreement was entered into either by Mr. MacEntee or Mr. Seán T. O'Kelly that in consideration for a 100 per cent grant for the building of a new hospital at Elm Park the existing hospital would revert to the State for disposal by the State? Was not such an agreement entered into?

I do not know what was the initial agreement. The present situation is that as the Sisters of Charity provided the site for the new hospital it was considered they would dispose of the property in their own way—that is the property at St. Stephen's Green—and that in respect of the property at 93-99 Lower Leeson Street, Nos. 1 to 9 at Leeson Lane, when sold the value would be transferred to the State. I have no reason to suppose that the Sisters of Charity would make use of the funds which they may receive from the sale of property at St. Stephen's Green for any other purpose than the advancement of the objectives of the Order, namely, the care of the sick.

The Minister has said that he does not know of any such agreement. I would ask the Minister a specific question: was there any such agreement? Secondly, is it not a fact that the Hospitals Sweep Fund gets a subvention of something in the region of £7 million from the Exchequer. In those circumstances, if an agreement of the kind I have mentioned was entered into, would it not be appropriate that the funds accruing from the sale of this building should be paid over to the Sweep Fund and in that way save the taxpayer?

I am telling the Deputy the present condition. Having regard to the fact that the hospital cost £4½ million to build, it follows a wide precedent in making grants available to private persons, the value of which they retain to be used for the public interest. There is no difference between that and the establishment of an industry where grants are given by the Industrial Development Authority. The assets so received become the property of the industry concerned. The same applies to hospitals.

I asked the Minister a specific question to elicit certain information. During the time I was Minister I insisted on the implementation of such an agreement, that the hospital would revert to the health authority and that it would be used by the Dublin Corporation for old people— that was the purpose I had in mind— and that a full 100 per cent grant would be given for the Elm Park hospital. Those were generous conditions. What happened to that agreement?

The Deputy can ask a question about that specific matter.

I have asked.

Ask it next week and I will give it. I am only concerned with the present position.

I am concerned with the question I asked the Minister.

I am absolutely satisfied with the present position.

I have no doubt you are.

I am satisfied that the sisters will make use of the funds in the public interest.

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