asked the Minister for Education if he has sanctioned plans for a new dental teaching facility on the St. James's Hospital, Dublin site.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Dental Teaching Facility.
13.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to building plans and in this connection I should say that the proposal for the St. James's Hospital complex has not advanced to the stage where the question would arise of sanction of such plans—that is the question asked—for a proposed new dental teaching facility.
Can the Minister indicate whether any proposal for a dental teaching facility has been forwarded to his Department in connection with the proposed building of the new hospital?
As the Deputy knows, TCD now have full charge of dental education in the city. They have indicated their desire that a new Dublin dental hospital be located on the St. James's Hospital site. The Higher Education Authority were informed by the Department of Education on 11 November 1977 that it had been decided to include in the brief for the St. James's Hospital project a clinical science building and that the proposed new dental hospital be located on the site. Is that helpful to the Deputy?
Not really. The Minister is aware that the Minister for Health who has sanctioned the plans for the building of the new hospital was asked to include a new dental teaching facility. He referred the matter to the Minister for Education and it would help the House if that Minister would make clear whether the plans that have been sanctioned include provision for a dental teaching facility or whether further plans will be required for additional buildings for this purpose.
If the Deputy had listened carefully to my reply he would have heard that the plans have not advanced to the stage where the question of their sanction would arise.
Are we talking about the education plans or the health plans?
The Deputy is trying to confuse health and education on this matter. We are responsible for the teaching aspect while the Department of Health are responsible for the health aspect.
Who is responsible for industrial relations?
I trust we have not confused the hospital board, but I am afraid they will be confused now.