(Limerick East): I understood that the planning brief for interim works at University College Hospital Galway was approved at the project team meeting on 7 February last. The Western Health Board has subsequently sought formal approval from my Department to the planning brief together with a request for approval to the selection and appointment of a design team. This matter is under consideration in my Department at present.
This development is a priority for my Department and it is expected, subject to satisfactory progress, that the design team selected could have the final planning documentation completed towards the end of this year. It is my intention that funding will be allocated from the Capital Programme to meet the planning costs incurred in 1995.