asked the Minister for Health if he will delay sanctioning a request submitted by the Southern Health Board to sell land at Clogheen, Cork, in view of information supplied to him by Deputy Bernard Allen; and if he will order an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the sale procedures.
Written Answers. - Sale of Land by Southern Health Board.
139.
I understand that the monthly meeting of the Southern Health Board, held on 7 June, was informed by the chief executive officer that both the city and the county managers had indicated that the existing water and drainage services together with the zoning of the area for amenity or agricultural purposes would preclude the grant of planning permission for residential or industrial development of the land at Clogheen. The city and county authorities had also made this known in response to inquiries made to them by persons interested in tendering for the land. Despite this, some tenders were subject to planning permission. Most tenders, however, were unconditional and the board, having considered these, approved the sale of the land in four lots.
With regard to Lot 4, a parcel of about 21½ acres to which the question refers, the position is that the tenders included one at £45,000 without conditions and a higher one subject to significant planning permission. As the managers had already ruled out such permission the board concentrated on the unconditional offer and negotiated the higher price of £49,000 still without conditions (other than that the purchaser will fence part of the southern boundary).
This information was given to the members of the health board before they took the decision to sell this property and I understand the vote was overwhelmingly in favour of the sale. I am considering the board's proposal which has now been submitted to my Department and I will convey my decision to the board in due course.