andMr. Wyse asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be announced on the future of Cork Dental Hospital; and the reason for the delay in making the announcement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Dental Hospital.
63.
Mr. R. Burke
There is nothing I can usefully add at this stage to the reply I gave to a question on the same subject put to me by the Deputies on 12th July last.
Can the Minister state why there is such a prolonged delay in reaching a decision in this case; when he expects a decision will be reached and if he is aware of certain factors that make this decision urgent?
Mr. R. Burke
The decision about the Cork Dental Hospital has to be taken in the context of the total re-organisation of university education. As I explained in the Estimate, and in reply to the Deputies last July, I am not yet in a position to give a decision on the overall re-organisation of university education. Until I am in a position to advise the Government in this field there is nothing useful I can add. Again, I can assure the Deputy that this work is proceeding continuously in the Department. There is no unavoidable delay.
Is the Minister convinced of the importance of having a strong dental school in Cork city?
Mr. R. Burke
The answer to that question would pre-judge the issue which I am going to pronounce on later.
Would the Minister agree that the statements in the HEA Report on the dental school, to the effect that it should be centralised, do not stand up to investigation or cannot be substantiated? The figures mentioned in that report about re-building, et cetera, certainly cannot be substantiated. Would the Minister agree to that extent?
Mr. R. Burke
I am in the same position as I was when replying to Deputy Wilson. To answer that question "yes" or "no" would be to pre-judge the eventual decision I will have to make. I am aware of the HEA Report but beyond that I am not prepared to say what I think about it.
Is the Minister aware that the decision of the HEA not to have a dental school in Cork was made without proper assessment of the situation and without prior consultation with members of the dental profession?
Mr. R. Burke
If there were any deficiencies, and I stress the "if" in that line I am sure that the submissions made by interested bodies subsequently would have remedied such deficiencies.
The Minister did not give me an answer as to when he expected to be able to make a decision on this.
Mr. R. Burke
It is very difficult to give an answer to this kind of question but I hope it will be within a matter of a few months.
Before the end of this year?
Mr. R. Burke
Very hopefully.
Can we hope that it will be favourable from the point of view of Cork city?
Mr. R. Burke
One can always live in hope.
Is the Minister aware that University College, Cork, has procured a ten-acre site on the land on which the new regional hospital is being built at present and that a further delay in reaching a decision on this matter will mean an increase in cost where building is concerned?
Mr. R. Burke
I am so aware. I received a deputation from the area in regard to this matter and I am fully aware of all the factors involved.
Will the Minister take into account that all of us would be in favour of decentralisation rather than centralisation?
Mr. R. Burke
I will note the Deputy's views on decentralisation.