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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 6

Written Answers. - Disused Hospitals.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

155 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, there are for the future use of the Meath, Harcourt Street and Adelaide hospitals; if these properties have been disposed of in 1998; the negotiations, if any, that have taken place with interested parties in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6825/98]

The new hospital in Tallaght when opened on 21 June this year will incorporate the services currently being provided at the Adelaide Hospital, the Meath Hospital and the National Children's Hospital, Harcourt Street. In addition, acute psychiatric services currently being provided at St. Loman's Hospital will also transfer to Tallaght.

The Meath Hospital, the Adelaide Hospital and the National Children's Hospital are voluntary hospitals and as such, the hospitals or their successor bodies have full ownership of their sites. When the services transfer to Tallaght, I understand the hospital sites will be sold as the premises will no longer function as acute hospitals. Since agreement was reached on the development of the new hospital — the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin incorporating the National Children's Hospital — it has always been understood that the three constituent hospitals would close as acute hospitals once the new hospital is opened. I understand none of the hospitals has been disposed of to date. However, such disposal is a matter for the owners of the sites as are any negotiations in this regard.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Eastern Health Board's working group on the south inner city primary care needs assessment identified the problems likely to arise following the relocation of existing services to Tallaght and it recommended the establishment of a primary care centre and the enhancement of general practice and community services in the south inner city, with the primary care centre acting as a central focus for the organisation and delivery of services encompassing the full range of health care and administrative needs for primary care services in the area. The possibility of acquiring the Meath Hospital campus for these purposes is being examined by the Eastern Health Board.
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