Vol. 534 No. 3
193 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the upgrading and restructuring of Monaghan General Hospital; the stage at which the project is; if it will allow for increased specialist services; and when he expects building work to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10773/01]
Responsibility for the provision of services at Monaghan General Hospital rests with the North-Eastern Health Board. I have had inquiries made of the board and it informs me that the planning for the capital development programme of the Cavan Monaghan Hospital Group, which includes Monaghan Hospital, has reached a draft brief stage. The board is assessing, from a service perspective, what elements of the plan can be sequenced over the next 3-4 years. Many elements of the project for Monaghan involve the refurbishment and re-equipping of existing buildings and facilities and the board has indicated that these are likely to be a top priority.
The theatre facility is to be brought on stream shortly with costs for 2001 in the order of £300,000 inclusive of equipment and installation. In addition, the refurbished female medical ward has been brought into service.
