asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that quick hardening high alumina concrete has been used in the construction of hospitals; and if he is satisfied with the safety of such buildings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Construction.
37.
I am aware of the technical reports regarding high alumina cement. Health boards and the authorities of voluntary hospitals were told of these reports last September and were asked to survey any instances where this cement was used in hospitals, in conjunction with the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. If necessary in any hospital, remedial action will be taken but so far it has not been considered necessary to undertake this in any case.
Am I to take it from that reply that the information requested of the various health boards has not been made available yet to the Minister's Department? If that is so, can the Minister say whether in the meantime any steps have been taken to prevent the use of this type of cement in the construction of hospitals or any other buildings that come under the aegis of his Department?
I do not think its use is being prohibited, but on the 27th August the Minister for Local Government sent to our Department a copy of a circular, dated 23rd August, which had been sent to each local authority regarding the use of high alumina cement in building work. That circular was issued arising out of the report of the British Building Research Establishment on the collapse in February, 1974, of roof beams over a swimming pool in east London. This report indicated that concrete containing high alumina cement was vulnerable to loss of strength for a number of reasons, including manufacturing methods and conditions as well as changes in temperature and humidity which can occur at any time in the life of a building. So far as this country is concerned it is known that this type of cement has been used in the manufacture of floor and roof units at the Victoria Hospital in Cork, at the Mental Hospital, Killarney and at Erinville and Tracton Park in Cork.
In response to the circular I sent them, the South Charitable Infirmary, Cork, notified the Department that high alumina cement forms part of the patent concrete roof covering the new X-ray unit at the hospital but the hospital's architect has indicated that the construction of this roof is not such that gives cause for any anxiety as there have not been any structural failures of concrete roofs of this type. These are the only instances of high alumina cement in hospital buildings to date.
Arising——
Time has expired for Questions. The Deputy must be very brief.
Can the Minister say whether the use of this cement is permitted in any buildings that are being constructed with the aid of moneys from his Department or whether there is any prohibition on its use? Is he satisfied to allow the continued use of this cement in public buildings?
No. The authorities of the Victoria, Erinville and Tracton Park hospitals in Cork, have been advised to request the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards to undertake a technical investigation in the case of the buildings concerned. There has been no prohibition on the use of this type of cement.
In other words, the Minister will continue to allow it to be used although he is not sure whether it is safe? Surely he should prohibit its use until such time as he could be sure of its absolute safety.
On a point of order——
The Deputy will appreciate that we are long past the time for Questions.
There is a difference of opinion as to whether the use of this cement presents an absolute danger but the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards are in constant consultation with the hospitals that I have mentioned so as to ensure there will be no tragedy.
Mr. G. Fitzgerald rose.
Deputies will have to raise this matter on another occasion.
Is the Minister aware that in Britain pupils are not allowed attend schools in the construction of which this type of cement has been used, until such time as the authorities are assured that there is no danger that a building would collapse? In such circumstances would the Minister not look into this matter again?
In view of what the Deputy has said I shall look into the matter again in consultation with the Minister for Local Government and with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance whose Office have the main responsibility for building.
On a point of order may I point out, Sir, that you allowed five supplementary questions from five Deputies on Questions Nos. 34 and 35 but——
The Chair has brought consistently to the attention of the House that we have extended our time for Questions but Deputies are persisting in asking questions.
I wish to point out that the Minister did not reply to five supplementaries put to him in regard to Questions Nos. 34 and 35 but that he went on to deal with Question No. 37. Is the Minister showing contempt for the five Deputies or for the plight of the medical services?
Question Time is over. The remaining questions will appear on to-morrow's Order Paper.