Billy Timmins
Question:171 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children where the new CAT scanner proposed for St. Colmcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, County Dublin will be housed. [19743/97]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Billy Timmins
Question:173 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the staffing provision, if any, his Department has made at St. Colmcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, County Dublin in order to operate the proposed new CAT scanner. [19745/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 173 together. I indicated in my reply to parliamentary questions from the Deputy on 4 November 1997 that I had approved a capital grant of £475,000 for the purchase of a CT scanner at St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown and the necessary infrastructural work associated with the installation of the machine.
I understand from St. Columcille's Hospital that the radiology department at the hospital will be extended to accommodate the CT scanner.
The level of revenue funding required in 1998 to commission this service will depend on the timing of purchase and installation of the equipment and also the completion of building works. My Department is in discussion with the Eastern Health Board regarding these issues.
Billy Timmins
Question:172 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the funds, if any, his Department has provided for infrastructure at St. Colmcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, County Dublin; if so, the amount in this regard; and when these funds were allocated. [19744/97]
My Department has approved capital funding for St. Columcille's Hospital over the last two years as follows. In 1996 a capital grant of £300,000 was approved towards the upgrading of electrical services. In 1997 capital grants totalling £186,000 were approved this year for the purchase of equipment at St. Columcille's Hospital.
In addition, the Deputy will be aware that I recently approved funding to the Eastern Health Board of £475,000 for the purchase of a CT scanner at the hospital and the provision of the necessary infrastructure to house the machine.