Vol. 498 No. 4
286 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Health and Children the stage of planning for a new health care unit at Cootehill, County Cavan; when tenders will be invited; when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28277/98]
The provision of health care units in County Cavan is a matter for the North-Eastern Health Board in the first instance.
I am informed by the North-Eastern Health Board that its pre-tender procedure for the Cootehill development will commence in mid-January 1999 and should be completed in approximately six weeks. On its completion tender documentation will issue to short-listed contractors. The tender process normally takes about four weeks with a further two weeks to assess tenders and yet a further two weeks for the completion of bonds, etc. Based on the foregoing contractual arrangements should be completed by the end of April 1999. The board further informs me that it is not possible, at this time, to estimate the actual starting date for constuction.
The issuing of the tender documentation is contingent on funding arrangements being in place. I have recently made a grant of £65,000 available for the initial costs of this development. Further financial support from my Department for this development will be considered in 1999 in the context of priority which the North-Eastern Health Board attaches to it, the available capital resources and the competing demands on those resources.
