Dan Neville
Question:184 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children when the extension to the Regional Hospital, Limerick, will be brought into full service. [6867/00]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
It is normal practice that when new units are completed under major developments such as have taken place under phases I and II of the redevelopment of Limerick Regional Hospital, they are commissioned on a phased basis as the additional revenue funding required becomes available. In 1998, £550,000 was provided by my Department to the Mid-Western Health Board in respect of the commissioning of the new units which were completed in Limerick Regional Hospital and an additional £2.5 million and £4.15 million was provided for this purpose in 1999 and 2000, respectively. This funding has enabled the commissioning to date of a number of units at the hospital, including the accident and emergency department, out-patients department, laboratory and physiotherapy departments, main operating theatres, day, trauma and eye theatres, intensive care unit beds, renal dialysis stations, radiology rooms and CSSD.
Further commissioning is provided for in the board's 2000 service plan in line with available funding this year, including the opening of the paediatric department at the hospital.
Austin Deasy
Question:185 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the situation whereby long stay patients in the north east area of County Waterford are directed for care in hospitals in other counties such as Tipperary, whereas they and their families would prefer to be treated in the more adjacent hospitals in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6868/00]
The provision of health services in the Waterford and south Tipperary areas are a matter in the first instance for the South Eastern Health Board. I have been advised by the board that its services are organised on the basis of community care areas. These areas are determined on the basis of population, need, availability of services, access, etc.
The board further advises that the area of north-east County Waterford to which the Deputy refers is in the community care area of Tipperary South Riding and, as such, access is provided to all services in this catchment area.