Vol. 409 No. 2
78 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the particulars of his hospital building programme for the greater Dublin area with an estimate of the number of new beds to come on stream from new hospital construction in the greater Dublin area within the next (a) two years, (b) four years and (c) six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am not, at this stage, in a position to provide the information sought by the Deputy. The level of capital expenditure for 1992 and subsequent years has not yet been determined and it is not, therefore, possible to indicate what new projects will be completed during the period in respect of which the Deputy has requested information. The new bed block at St. James's Hospital, containing 353 beds, and the new psychiatric unit at Naas, containing 30 beds, will open later this year.
My Department are at present preparing detailed proposals for priority capital projects for the five year period commencing in 1992. These proposals will be discussed in the context of the Estimates for 1992. The position regarding the commencement of new projects in 1992 will be determined, having regard to overall priorities and available resources.
