asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the draft proposal for the building of a second regional hospital in Cork; and if he will name the sites that have been surveyed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Second Regional Hospital.
13.
The plans for general hospital development in the Cork area provide for the construction of a second major general hospital to replace the existing voluntary hospitals in the city. While there has been a preliminary examination of possible suitable sites for this hospital, in view of the fact that given probable levels of resource which will be available and the priority developments in the area, it is most unlikely that the provision of this hospital can be considered as other than a long-term proposal. No detailed surveys of possible sites have been carried out.
Would the Minister of State be more specific and give the names of the areas of sites that have been surveyed?
Mayfield East, Lauriston, East of Glashaboy River, Little Island, the vicinity of John Barleycorn Hotel.
While I am not disagreeing with the sites that have been surveyed we have in the north Cork area a very large catchment area and a growing population. It is vital that the Mallow area — where we have a very fine general hospital but which does not have the facility or capacity bearing in mind the growing population in the years ahead — be considered. Would the Minister have this area examined?
I can assure the Deputy that we will but, as I indicated, it is nothing other than long-term proposals.
I accept that.