Theresa Ahearn
Question:14 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health when the proposed Tallaght Hospital will be built.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Tallaght (Dublin) Hospial.
Richard Bruton
Question:31 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health the progress made in reaching a resolution of the outstanding issues between various parties who will constitute the board of the new Tallaght Hospital in Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 31 together.
I am glad we reached this question. In relation to the resolution of outstanding issues between the parties involved in the move to the proposed new Tallaght Hospital, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the boards of the three hospitals — the Adelaide, the Meath, and the National Children's Hospital — have now reached full agreement on the proposed board structures and management for the hospital. I will be arranging an early meeting with the three hospitals involved to discuss the putting in place of the necessary legal mechanisms to give effect to the new agreement.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the boards of the three hospitals for the spirit of goodwill and co-operation which characterised the discussions. I am confident that the agreement now reached will represent a firm foundation on which progress can be made to facilitate a smooth and successful transition to the new hospital in Tallaght.
The position with regard to the building of the new hospital is that I expect tenders to be invited for the construction of the hospital in the middle of next month, and I am confident that construction will commence before the end of the year.
I thank the Minister for his reply and I avail of the opportunity to compliment him on the manner in which he handled this matter, which was a source of considerable disquiet throughout society. The appointment of the facilitators was the key to its successful resolution. May I ask the Minister two questions: first, can he confirm that his party's target for the actual construction of the hospital will be met; and, second, in regard to the new charter for the new hospital, if a change in legislation to required for this, will that legislation be brought before the House, discussed and completed before we rise for the summer recess?
In relation to the first matter, the target for construction, from the first day I became Minister I sought a timeframe and a chart was drawn up in my Department in the first week showing, on a week by week basis, the most expeditious route to construction. I am pleased to inform the Deputies that every milestone on that target has been reached in the timeframe set out and that construction will commence before the end of this year. In relation to the charter although there is necessity for legislation, it will not be necessary to have the legislation enacted until the hospital is commissioned, so it will not be before the summer recess. I hope we will have agreement as soon as is practicable.
Is it the Department's policy to build super hospitals like the Tallaght Hospital and will that mean that smaller hospitals will close in order to accomodate this major unit? I am thinking of the super hospital for Limerick. Will Ennis Hospital close in order to accomodate the Limerick Hospital?
The only hospitals that will close to facilitate the Tallaght hospital are the three component hospitals, the Meath Hospital, the Adelaide Hospital and the National Children's Hospital which are moving in unison and by agreement to the new super complex which will be a huge facility for the country. Let me avail of the opportunity, which I have done most recently in the other House, to say emphatically that there is no possibility or remote prospect of Ennis Hospital closing. It provides an important acute service to the people of Clare which is absolutely essential and it will continue certainly as long as I am Minister.
That concludes questions for today.
On a point of order, we disposed of questions up to No. 14 leaving some 75 questions unanswered. Would it be possible for me to reserve the right to have some of these questions remain for oral answer, having regard to the import of some of them?
I will inform the office of your request. Perhaps you would indicate the number of questions that you have in mind?
I will do that later.
I did very badly today. Could I avail of the same opportunity?
How could I refuse my constituency colleague?