Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 14 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Works.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

151 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will seek an explanation for the reason essential works have not been carried out at the Orthopaedic Hospital, Kilcreene, County Kilkenny, where the sum of £100,000 maintenance fund was allocated by the South Eastern Health Board and where it would have been most appropriate to have these particular works carried out during August 1998 when wards were closed at this hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19790/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Ongoing maintenance works at the Lourdes Hospital, Kilcreene are a matter for the South-Eastern Health Board in the first instance. At its June 1998 meeting the South-Eastern Health Board undertook to do repair and maintenance work at the hospital and a sum of £100,000 was provided by the board for this purpose. I understand a structural engineer's report was subsequently sought by the board due to concerns about the structural quality of the ageing building. In the circumstances work was deferred pending a detailed examination. The health board have confirmed that the £100,000 is still available for this project and it is the board's intention to progress this work in the coming months.