asked the Minister for Health the present position regarding the provision of a children's ward at the Mullingar General Hospital, County Westmeath; and when work on the extension will commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mullingar Hospital.
8.
Phase 1 of the proposed redevelopment of Mullingar General Hospital includes provisions for a children's ward. I am providing funds to enable planning of the scheme to continue this year.
We thank the Minister for the belated sanction for this children's ward. Will the Minister tell us where the funds will come from? Is he aware that recently we renovated two wards in St. Mary's and we cannot get sanction to pay nurses for those two wards?
The documents for the stage 3 planning of phase 1 of the scheme were submitted to the Department on 13 May 1980. They were examined by the Department's technical advisers and are considered to be in order. Formal approval of stage 3 documents——
It is just a year ago today.
The funds are being made available now to enable planning to continue and I have informed the health board accordingly.
Why are the funds available now when they were not available over the past four years? Is the Minister aware that the mental health board stated that unless there is a severe curtailment in expenditure they will be out of money before the end of September? How can he reconcile the two?
The question the Deputy is raising does not relate to the question on the Order Paper. He is talking about revenue. This is a question about capital expenditure.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The Minister said he has allocated funds to allow planning to continue this year. Can he tell us how much money will be spent or allocated for work to be done between now and the end of the year in regard to planning?
Sufficient money to do all the planning necessary.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The Minister should come off it.
The project is included in a number of projects which have been given the go-ahead by me through to building and not just planning. It is a continuous procedure.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Can the Minister say how much money will be spent on that ward in Mullingar between now and the end of the year?
If the Deputy likes to put down a question I will get him the total amount.
Ceist 9.
(Cavan-Monaghan): We will not be here. It is just a few pounds. These are gimmicks.
The budget for the development in total is £10.21 million.
Will the Minister please reply to Ceist 9?