Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Developments.

Jack Wall

Question:

191 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department has agreed a starting date with the Eastern Health Board for the proposed extension to Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23218/97]

Jack Wall

Question:

192 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding, if any, which has been provided by his Department in the 1998 capital budget for the further development of Naas General Hospital, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23219/97]

Jack Wall

Question:

193 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the efforts, if any, his Department are making to alleviate the chronic overcrowding problems at Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23220/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 191, 192 and 193 together.

My Department and the Eastern Health Board have been involved in recent discussions on the further development of Naas General Hospital, particularly the difficulties experienced by key clinical areas within the hospital.

These discussions have developed satisfactorily and I expect to be in a position in the very near future to contact the board in the matter. I am confident that on completion, this development, along with the opening of the new hospital at Tallaght, will help to ensure the delivery of an efficinet and high quality health care service for patients in this catchment area.