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Dáil Éireann - Volume 270 - 28 February, 1974 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Dental Hospital. Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald 89. Mr. G. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education when tenders will be sought for the erection of a new dental hospital in Cork. Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke 1930 [1930] Mr. R. Burke: The question of the erection of a new dental hospital in Cork has to be considered in the context of the provision to be made for dental education in the country as a whole. I hope to be in a position to make a statement in the matter in the near future. Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald: Is the Minister aware of the frustration being caused to staff and students by delaying this announcement? Will he assure the House and those people that the dental hospital in Cork will be started with all possible haste on the site provided? Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke: I met many deputations with regard to this matter. I was made aware of the frustration on my visit to Cork. There will be no delay in implementing the decision in the matter. I am not yet in a position to state what the position will be. Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald: Does the Minister realise the seriousness and urgency in regard to this decision? Is the Minister aware that in the new regional hospital at Wilton provision has been made for staff and accommodation and that accommodation is now superfluous? Some of it will be superfluous unless a decision is taken to build a hospital on that site. Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke: The decision not to go ahead was made in 1971. The problem to which the Deputy refers has been with us for a number of years. The frustration should not increase simply because I have been in office for the past year. Mr. Faulkner Mr. Faulkner Mr. Faulkner: Surely the Minister can make his own decisions? Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald: Would the Minister give the date in 1971? Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke: If the Deputy puts down a specific question about the date I will be delighted to give him the date. Mr. Coogan Mr. Coogan Mr. Coogan: Who was Minister in 1971? Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke 1931 Mr. R. Burke: The arrangements for a new dental hospital had reached an advanced stage at the end of 1971. [1931] In December the HEA authority presented their report. Following on that, a decision was taken to go ahead. Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald: When was the decision taken? Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke: I will give the Deputy specific information if he puts down a question next week. Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald: Would the Minister agree it was not in 1971 but in 1972? Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke: The end of 1971, or January, 1972. Mr. Wilson Mr. Wilson Mr. Wilson: Would the Minister not agree that the big problem about the Cork Dental Hospital at the moment is the fear of a brain drain? The most highly-qualified people will go if a decision is not made. Mr. Wyse Mr. Wyse Mr. Wyse: A similar question was put to the Minister last October. The Minister was asked in a supplementary question about the expected date of the decision. I questioned the Minister closely and he said it would be in the near future and within a few months. The Minister is saying the same thing today. Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke Mr. R. Burke: This is only February 28th. Dáil Éireann 270 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Cork Dental Hospital. Questions 19740228
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