Vol. 496 No. 7
36 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent of the capital and revenue budget overruns at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24; his views on whether the original allocation was inadequate; and the steps, if any, he will take to rectify the situation. [23963/98]
I propose to deal with the capital and revenue issues separately. Regarding capital this major project which commenced on site in 1993 is now in its final stages. The construction element of the project is practically complete and the preparation of the final certificates is imminent. The Deputy will be aware that at this stage of a construction project and prior to the issue of the final certificates from the architects, detailed cost negotiations relating to the final cost of the project take place. This project is now at this stage and, accordingly, I am advised that the cost issues are commercially sensitive until such time as the final accounts are agreed. For this reason, I am unable to provide the Deputy with any estimate of the final account at this time.
With regard to the equipping costs associated with the hospital, I am informed that the Tallaght Regional Hospital Board has equipped the hospital as it is now functioning, within the agreed budget. However, some additional equipping requests have been identified by the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin incorporating the National Childrens Hospital and I am awaiting a report on this matter.
Regarding revenue the Deputy will be aware that the hospital's outturn for July 1998, which was its first full month in operation from its new location in Tallaght, showed a significant overrun against the hospital's budget and the board of management having been asked to review the figures confirmed the hospital's budgetary difficulties on 24 September last.
Having regard to the degree of the projected deficit for 1998, approximately £21 million, I initiated an independent review of the data submitted by the board of management. This review is also examining the arrangements within the organisation for service planning and associated staffing and financial budgets, and the processes, systems and practices for reporting and control. As I stated earlier today in a reply to Deputy Shatter, this review is not yet complete. Consequently, I am not in a position at this stage to make any further comment as to the extent of the revenue budget overrun.
I do not accept that the original allocation for the hospital was inadequate. This year's revenue determination for Tallaght is £53.659 million. In addition, £3.7 million has been provided for the Federated Dublin Voluntary Hospital, the bulk of which is Tallaght-related. This brings the total to £57.4 million. This funding represents additional funds of £5.9 million to facilitate the hospital moving to Tallaght and setting up services for the second half of this year.
