Vol. 486 No. 3
173 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the submissions he has received on the infrastructure of the new Tallaght Hospital; the reasons these difficulties have arisen at this stage of the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2426/98]
The original Tallaght Hospital building project was completed in May 1997. However, the Deputy will be aware that, following submission to the Department, a number of additional construction projects were approved early last year so as to enhance the new hospital.
Additional capital funding of £4.1 million for improvements in the following areas was sanctioned in March 1997: out patients department — alterations and extension; intensive care unit; theatre recovery area; X-ray department and extension to hospital sterile supplies department. The design and construction of these projects to a degree which would be compatible with the functioning of a major acute hospital was the main factor governing the decision of the board of the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin incorporating the National Children' Hospital to open the new hospital on 21 June next as opposed to an earlier date in 1998.
In addition to the above improvements, the Department also agreed to the hospital's proposals to develop private and semi-private facilities providing up to 77 additional beds. This is the responsibility of the board of the hospital to finance and develop at an estimated cost of £7 million. The facilities will be owned and managed by the board and will be operated as an integral element of the total hospital.
The Department also agreed to the hospital's proposals to develop a muti-storey car park which will be privately financed and which will bring the total number of spaces to 1,000. This facility is scheduled for completion in June 1998.
