Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Apr 1998

Vol. 490 No. 2

Written Answers - Hospital Services.

Enda Kenny

Question:

193 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have arrangements made to have an interim improvement brought about in the facilities in the casualty section of Mayo General Hospital pending provision of phase II; his views on the level of pressure under which staff currently operate; his views on the long waiting list for attention due to inadequate facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10085/98]

Enda Kenny

Question:

194 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason authorisation for the invitation to tender for Mayo General Hospital phase II has not yet been approved in spite of it having been dealt with by technical personnel in his Department; when the Western Health Board will receive formal authorisation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10086/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.

The Western Health Board recently sought my Department's approval for the work which has been completed by the design team on stage 5 of the planning process for the phase 2 development of Mayo General Hospital, which includes provision for accident and emergency and OPD, and for the invitation of tenders. I am currently considering this request in the context of my Department's capital programme for 1998-2000.

In the meantime, my Department is engaged on an ongoing basis in contacts with the Western Health Board to identify and meet immediate priority developmental requirements at the hospital. As part of this process, an allocation of an additional £50,000 was made to the board this year for the development of anaesthetic services at the hospital. Funding was also made available to provide for minor capital and replacement medical equipment needs.