Vol. 505 No. 5
107 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which modern facilities exist in children's hospitals; the upgrading, if any, intended in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14186/99]
There are three paediatric hospitals located within the Dublin area, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, The Children's Hospital, Temple Street, and the National Children's Hospital located at the new hospital in Tallaght.
As the Deputy will be aware the relocation of the National Children's Hospital to the new hospital in Tallaght ensures that its patients have access to facilities of the highest standard. I have also granted approval to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children to appoint a design team for the development of theatre facilities at the hospital which is an integral part of that hospital's cardiac surgery development. The Deputy will also be aware that the relocation of the Children's Hospital, Temple Street to the Mater Hospital campus has been under consideration for some time by the religious orders who own the two hospitals concerned. My Department supports the transfer of Temple Street Hospital to the Mater campus because of the need to improve the quality of paediatric hospital accommodation and the potential benefits to both hospitals of shared infrastructural support and complementary clinical services.
In 1998, I approved the appointment of the design team for the Mater Hospital development. Its initial task will be the preparation of a development control plan (DCP) for the entire Mater site, including the relocation of the Children's Hospital, Temple Street. In the interim it is vital that existing services for children on the north side of the city are maintained to a high standard and I have approved funding in the region of £1.6 million for the refurbishment of the accident and emergency department and the provision of new accommodation at that hospital.
I would like to assure the Deputy that I am committed to the provision of modern paediatric facilities and I believe that the relocation of the National Children's Hospital and the development plans for both Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children and the Children's Hospital, Temple Street, are evidence of this commitment.
