Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 6

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Seán Haughey

Question:

227 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to provide a new hospital on Dublin's north side for elective surgery in the grounds of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 or St. Joseph's Hospital, Raheny, Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4535/01]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

244 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if St. Joseph's Hospital, Raheny, Dublin 5, has been purchased by the Eastern Regional Health Authority; if so, the purchase price of the hospital; the current and projected levels of staffing; the range of services which will be provided at the site; the likely numbers of patients; and the catchment area it will serve. [4736/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 244 together.

I recently gave approval in principle to the Eastern Regional Health Authority to purchase St. Joseph's Private Hospital in Raheny, Dublin. Additional funding under the national develop ment plan is being allocated to the ERHA to fund the purchase, subject to the completion of the sale between the parties involved. I understand that the purchase price for the site is currently a matter for negotiation between the authority and the vendor of the property. A range of services are being considered for the site, including the provision of specialist and day case services with the aim of reducing the number of public patients currently on waiting lists for treatment.

The purchase of St. Joseph's will facilitate additions to the range of services currently being provided by the Northern Area Health Board and other public health service providers in the area. The decision to purchase the facility was taken in the context of the Government's continuing determination to address bed capacity deficits in the health service, both in the acute and non-acute sectors.