Limerick-East): Building work commenced on the Tallaght Hospital in October 1993 and is due to be completed by December 1996. The equipping and commissioning period will then take place. The hospital is scheduled to open in 1997, as planned. The current position in relation to the Tallaght Hospital is that the project is three weeks behind schedule. However, the Government is committed to the completion of the Tallaght Hospital within the four-year timeframe. I am optimistic that this target will be achieved.
The total cost of the new hospital is in the region of £123 million, of which £30.4 million has been spent to date.