asked the Minister for Health if he has received any complaints regarding the conditions at present existing in Griffith Barracks, Dublin, from the families accommodated there under the auspices of the Eastern Health Board; if he is satisfied that the present conditions are satisfactory; and whether he has investigated any complaints received.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Griffith Barracks Accommodation.
12.
I have not received any complaints from families accommodated in Griffith Barracks regarding existing conditions there.
On the general question of the present conditions at Griffith Barracks, the Deputy should be aware, as a member of the Eastern Health Board, that this matter is primarily the responsibility of that board. I understand that there has been no deterioration in recent times in the conditions, admittedly far from ideal, at Griffith Barracks and on the contrary, there have been some improvements carried out. If the Deputy has any specific complaints, I suggest that he might take the matter up directly with the health board.
May I ask the Minister if he received reports of people who had come down South from Northern Ireland complaining about the conditions in Griffith Barracks?
I received no direct complaints.
Has the Minister seen newspaper reports?
I have.
Would he consider having an inspector of his Department look into these complaints?
We did make inquiries.
Is the Minister satisfied that the conditions are optimum?
No. They are far from ideal.