asked the Minister for Health if he intends proceeding with the planned Sligo General Hospital extension; if so when construction work will commence; the amount of money allocated for work this year; the length of time it will take to complete the entire project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Sligo General Hospital Extension.
273.
I accept the need for an extension to Sligo General Hospital and it is my intention to proceed with this project. The North-Western Health Board have received tenders for the proposed extension and the report on these tenders is currently being examined in my Department. This project is a major development with considerable capital funding implications and the question of the acceptance of tenders is being considered in the context of the capital funds that are now available and the expenditure requirements of this and all the other projects that are included in the health capital programme.
The expenditure required in 1987 for the Sligo development will depend on the date of commencement of construction and I cannot give a precise starting date at this stage. It is estimated that the entire project will take about five years to complete.