asked the Minister for Health if he will sanction the commissioning of the remaining beds in Tralee General Hospital, County Kerry.
Written Answers. - Tralee General Hospital.
154.
Tralee General Hospital has a total bed complement of 425 beds. To date 289 of these beds have been commissioned and these include new paediatric, neo-natal and orthopedic units.
My Department has been in correspondence with the Southern Health Board about the opening of the psychiatric unit. I hope it will be possible to arrive at a satisfactory arrangement soon.
My Department has not received any proposals from the Southern Health Board in connection with the commissioning of the remaining unopened beds. Any such proposals would have to be considered in the light of the availability of financial resources, and the priority afforded to such proposals by the Southern Health Board.
155.
asked the Minister for Health if he will approve the finances required by the Southern Health Board to provide dialysis facilities at Tralee General Hospital, County Kerry.
The Southern Health Board has submitted proposals to my Department for the provision of a satellite dialysis unit at Tralee General Hospital. This proposal has been fully considered in my Department. However, due to the existing difficult financial situation and the priority requirements of the Southern Health Board, my Department is not in a position to provide the funds necessary to establish such a unit. The Southern Health Board has been informed accordingly.