asked the Minister for Health the current position with regard to the future of Naas Hospital, County Kildare, with special reference to the upgrading and development of facilities there; the time schedule; the cost of providing these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Naas (Kildare) Hospital.
101.
As the Deputy will be aware, a planning brief has been completed for Naas Hospital which provides for the development of a 209 bed hospital on a phased basis. A development control plan is currently being prepared and is expected to be completed by Autumn 1986. This plan will outline in detail the precise nature of the phasing for the total development.
The provision of a psychiatric unit at Naas Hospital has been identified as a priority. In parallel with the preparation of the development control plan, detailed planning of a 30 bed acute psychiatric unit together with a day hospital is proceeding so that it can be brought into operation as quickly as possible.
The budget cost, based on 1984 prices, for the whole project is set at £13.75 million while the basic cost of the psychiatric unit is set at £1.009 million. However, there will be additional costs, having regard to priority and interim developments, which have yet to be determined and which will become clear when the planning stages are completed.