Tony Gregory
Question:32 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has and the timescale involved for the provision of a new children's hospital at Temple Street, Dublin 1. [15769/97]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Willie Penrose
Question:53 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if he intends to provide additional acute hospital space on the north-side of Dublin for the treatment of children. [15919/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 53 together.
The relocation of Temple Street Hospital to the Mater Hospital campus has been under consideration for some time by the religious orders which own the two hospitals concerned. My Department supports the transfer of Temple Street Hospital to the Mater campus because of the need to improve the quality of paediatric hospital accommodation and the potential benefits to both hospitals of shared infrastructural support and complementary clinical services.
While there is agreement in principle between the two orders to the proposed move, there are a number of issues still to be worked out which will have an impact on the phasing of the development. My Department is currently in discussion with representatives of the hospitals to progress this matter. It is generally accepted that in view of the logistical and planning issues involved, the move to the Mater Hospital site would take a number of years to complete. However, in the interim, it is vital that existing services for children on the north side of the city are maintained to a high standard. For this reason, my Department recently approved the establishment of a project team for the refurbishment of Temple Street Hospital's accident and emergency department and the provision of a 20 bed ward. Work is well advanced on the planning of this development.