Vol. 481 No. 3
97 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the progress, if any, on the redevelopment plan for the James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15787/97]
The project team for the development at James Connolly Memorial Hospital is at an advanced stage in preparing the detailed accommodation briefs for the individual hospital departments. To date briefs have been completed in respect of acute wards; intensive care unit; coronary care unit; and accident and emergency department.
Briefs for the out-patients department, theatre suites and central sterile department are currently being drafted. It is envisaged that the first phase of the development will include all of the above departments.
The process of appointing the design team is being finalised. Its first task will be to draw up a protective development control plan for the total hospital development. It is envisaged that this work will be completed in the spring of 1998 following which the detailed planning and tender documentation for phase one will be drawn up.
The development is being jointly funded by the Eastern Health Board and my Department. The health board will be providing finance through the disposal of surplus lands at the hospital and it is planned that this land will be on the market in the current year ensuring that the momentum of the project is maintained.
