asked the Minister for Health if he has received any proposals from the South Eastern Health Board to change the location of the county surgical unit from Cashel; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary Surgical Unit.
29.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a somewhat similar question on 17th July, 1973.
The Deputy will, no doubt, be aware that since then Comhairle na nOspidéal have drawn up, at my request, guidelines which would be a sound basis for the study of the future development of the general hospital services. I have circulated a memorandum to health boards, regional hospital boards and Comhairle na nOspidéal asking them to establish joint working groups to identify for each area the possible solutions which would conform to those guidelines. The different health administrative bodies would then give me their advice on what would be the most satisfactory solution. Until this procedure has been gone through and I have had a chance to consider the results I would not consider it appropriate to express a view about any particular hospital.
I have not received from the SouthEastern Health Board any specific proposal to change the location of the county surgical unit from Cashel. I have received from them a copy of a consultation document entitled "General Hospitals Development Programme" consideration of which is being postponed pending the outcome of the procedure to which I have already referred.
Has the Minister any idea how long it will be before there is something definite or some decision taken? Will it be a year or three or four or five years?
I could not give the Deputy any definite date but it will not be years.