Vol. 520 No. 4
131 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the recent allocations under the national development plan to the general hospitals in the Southern Health Board area, and particularly the situation at Tralee General Hospital which, while catering for 20% of the population of the board area, has been allocated only 2.2% of the acute hospital funding. [16060/00]
The capital priorities of the Southern Health Board under the National Development Plan, 2000-06, including those relating to Tralee General Hospital, are a matter in the first instance for the board. My Department recently confirmed with the board overall funding for the duration of the plan. The national development plan priorities for the Southern Health Board were unanimously adopted at a board meeting held on 2 May, 2000.
As part of a major initiative under the national development plan, I recently made available to the board a sum of £8 million for this year for re-equipment and refurbishment in health facilities in the board's area. I understand from the board that a portion of this funding will be directed to Tralee General Hospital.
In relation to the acute hospital sector, there are already a number of projects within my Department's approved capital programme for the Southern Health Board area, including new classroom facilities for nursing staff at Tralee General Hospital. In addition, a number of developments planned for Cork University Hospital will improve key service facilities for patients in both the Cork and Kerry regions.
