Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Richard Bruton

Question:

335 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans for the relocation of the Children's Hospital, Temple Street; his further proposals for the future use of the existing Temple Street buildings; and if he has considered the possibility of developing a service for older people in the buildings. [28956/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

As I am sure the Deputy is aware, plans are in train to relocate the Children's Hospital, Temple Street, to the Mater Hospital campus and a number of steering groups are in place to plan for the development of facilities on the new site. The new hospital will be the largest in the State and will serve the catchment area of north Dublin and the wider community through its tertiary specialities. In this regard funding in the region of £180 million, 228.6 million – October 1999 prices – has been identified in the national development plan for the re-development of the Mater campus.

A design brief for the development has been completed and approved by my Department and the Eastern Regional Health Authority. The main clinical areas to be provided in the development are: accident and emergency department; out-patient day care and ambulatory care facilities; operating theatres including day surgery; sterile supplies; heart/lung transplant facilities; ITU-HDU; pathology; diagnostic imaging; pharmacy; new children's hospital and physical medicine.

With regard to proposals for the future use of the existing Temple Street buildings, I am advised by the Eastern Regional Health Authority, which is responsible for the funding of services at both the Mater and the children's hospitals, that a working group is being set up in conjunction with the Sisters of Mercy to consider the issue. All options regarding health service provision will be considered by the group including the possibility of developing a service for older people.