Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

139 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if the project team at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12 has concluded its work; if the question of additional consultant manpower has been addressed; when the additional four intensive care unit beds will be in use; and the way in which he proposes to tackle the unacceptable lengthy waiting lists for open heart surgery for children with congenital heart disease. [23526/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The project team recently completed its brief to develop a plan for the provision of additional theatres at the hospital and this brief is now being examined by my Department's technical officers.

The hospital's management has been asked to prepare a detailed service plan for 1998. Once this plan has been received by my Department the various matters raised by the Deputy will be discussed in detail with the hospital representatives. This discussion will include consideration of the hospital's stated priorities for consultant manpower and the extent to which these can be funded from the available resources. The provision of staffing resources for the ICU will be similarly addressed.

I am acutely aware of the difficulties currently being experienced in paediatric cardiac services. My Department continues to be in close touch with the hospital in order to identify the best means of relieving this situation.