Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Jan 1995

Vol. 448 No. 2

Written Answers. - Louth County Hospital Development.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

16 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the proposals from the North Eastern Health Board currently with his Department in relation to the development of Louth County Hospital; if he will consider this application favourably; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1130/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The Deputy will be aware that in 1993 the North Eastern Health Board adopted the policy outlined in the report “A New Direction for Acute Hospital Services”. Under this policy, hospitals in the area are no longer acting as individual units but have become component parts of a regional service. My Department has supported the North Eastern Health Board in this initiative and has provided substantial revenue funds for the development of hospital services in the region.

Louth County Hospital forms part of the Louth-Meath Hospital Group and the provision and development of services at that hospital is a matter for the North Eastern Health Board in the first instance. My Department received outline proposals from the board in November 1993 in relation to the development of Louth County Hospital and, following discussions on the matter, requested more detailed information from the board. I understand that the board is to submit this information shortly. The proposals will then be considered in the context of the board's priority development requirements, the many competing requirements nationally and the overall resources available for these purposes.