Vol. 524 No. 1
131 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received an application from the Mid-Western Health Board to extend the remit of St. Ita's Hospital in Newcastle West, County Limerick, for radiography and other areas; and if he will agree to this request. [21871/00]
132 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health and Children when approval will be given to the tender submitted for the Alzheimers unit in St. Ita's Hospital, Newcastle West, County Limerick; the cost of the project; and when funding will be approved to enable construction to take place. [21872/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the provision of health services in the Limerick area is a matter for the Mid Western Health Board.
As part of the national development plan, I approved a proposal from the board to develop a ten bedded elderly mentally infirm unit at St. Ita's Hospital, Newcastle West. The board submitted a design proposal to my Department in June 2000. The Department identified a number of layout and functional issues, having regard to the purpose of the building. The board concurred with my Department and agreed to have the design rectified.
The board has reconvened the project-design team who are in the process of completing the project brief. It is not possible to give an estimate of cost at this stage.
The board has not made an application to my Department to extend the remit of St. Ita's Hospital to include a radiography service.
