Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 2

Written Answers. - Cardiac Surgery Facilities.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

69 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding available in 1998 for the provision of new cardiac surgery facilities in University College Hospital, Galway; when he will sanction the construction of the new facilities at the hospital; if there is provision in the 1998 Estimates to make available to the hospital the projected sum of £7.5 million required by way of capital costs for the new facilities; if not, whether it will be provided in the year 1999 or the year 2000; and when it is anticipated that the new facilities will be opened and functioning. [5473/98]

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

94 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding available in 1998 for the provision of new cardiac surgery facilities in University College Hospital, Galway; when will he sanction the construction of the new facilities at the hospital; if there is provision in the 1998 Estimates to make available to the hospital the projected sum of £7.5 million required by way of capital costs for the new facilities; if not, whether it will be provided in the year 1999 or the year 2000; and when it is anticipated that the new facilities will be opened and functioning. [5470/98]

Alan Shatter

Question:

127 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding, if any, available in 1998 for the provision of new cardiac surgery facilities in University College Hospital, Galway; when he will sanction the construction of the new facilities; if there is provision in the 1998 Estimates to make available to the hospital the projected sum of £7.5 million required by way of capital costs for the new facility; if not, whether it will be provided in the year 1999 or the year 2000; and when this facility will be opened and functioning according to his Department's proposals. [5864/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 94 and 127 together.

On taking up office, I gave a personal commitment to review the recommendations of the cardiac surgery option appraisal group, CSOAG, which had reported under the previous Government. The CSOAG had examined four potential hospital sites, including University College Hospital, Galway, and invited them to make costed submissions in support of providing 500 additional cardiac procedures nationally. Arising from this a decision had been taken to site the additional cardiac surgery capacity at St. James's Hospital, Dublin.

Following my review of the CSOAG recommendations, I announced a major new initiative on cardiovascular health and cardiac services on 29 January last aimed at achieving an integrated approach to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Under the comprehensive package of measures involved, cardiac surgery facilities will be provided at University College Hospital, Galway in the next phase of the major redevelopment programme currently under way there. Phase one of this programme is currently under construction and a development control plan is now being finalised for the remainder of the redevelopment programme. I expect to receive the final development control plan for approval in the next month and I will be in a position to make a more detailed statement on the anticipated timescale for completion of the developments planned at that stage. Provision for the capital costs associated with the new cardiac surgery unit will be made in my Department's current capital programme for 1998-2000.