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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

460 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will investigate with the Department of Defence the use of the Curragh military hospital to alleviate overcrowding at Naas General Hospital as a short-term solution to the crisis caused by the flu epidemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1655/00]

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

464 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department contacted the Department of Defence with a view to availing of the Curragh military hospital to relieve the congestion caused at Naas General Hospital following the recent flu epidemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1784/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 464 together.

The Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the provision of services at Naas General Hospital, has previously explored the possibility of availing of the facilities at the Curragh Military Hospital with the Department of Defence. The Department of Defence advised that the siting of a civilian facility in the centre of a military installation would be inappropriate for security reasons.

The Deputies will be aware that the capital development project at Naas General Hospital has commenced. This development will replace antiquated buildings offering poor facilities with a modern facility, utilising a combination of new build integrated with substantially upgraded existing structures.

The increase in the population of the Naas catchment area in recent years has added considerably to the workload of the hospital. The hospital's management and staff have nevertheless endeavoured to meet the increase in demand for service as a consequence and have succeeded in doing so despite the limitations imposed on their efforts by virtue of inadequate hospital infrastructure which imposed severe restrictions both in terms of service delivery and service developments.

I am confident that when completed the capital development at the hospital, which reflects the emphasis on the provision of a modern acute hospital to meet the needs of the catchment areas, will alleviate any difficulties being experience in the provision of services.

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