asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate the new buildings that have been approved in the Midland Health Board area for this financial year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Midland Health Board Buildings.
7.
It is presumed that the Deputy is referring to the new hospital building projects which have been approved for commencement this year. The following are the particulars of the projects so approved.
(1) County Hospital, Tullamore— Day Care Centre; (2) St. Mary's Hospital, Mullingar—Mechanical and electrical installations; (3) Manor House, Castlepollard—Adaptation as an institution for mentally handicapped; (4) County Clinic, Longford— X-ray Department; (5) St. Vincent's Hospital, Mountmellick—Provision of life; (6) Athlone District Hospital— Day Care Centre.
A tender has been in the Minister's Department for some months now for a welfare home in Edenderry and I would like to know what the position is in regard to that.
It is not in the list and, therefore, it may not be approved for this financial year.
Would the Minister be able to give any indication as to when it will be approved?
We will have to wait for the next financial year.
It will be included then?
The Deputy could not expect me to commit myself to any particular area in the country for the next financial year.
I was referring only to the welfare home for the aged. Everybody is agreed the aged are a problem. The home is badly needed.
I do not disagree with what the Deputy says, but there have been improvements so far as that type of home is concerned and not necessarily in the midlands area alone.
There is no home in Edenderry.