Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospitals Funding.

Noel Ahern

Question:

154 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the capital funding which has been made available in the past ten years to Cappagh Hospital; the position regarding the hospital's development plan, which includes provision of four additional operating theatres and a high dependency unit; the stage of the planning; the view of Eastern Regional Health Authority on funding, which was expected to start in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10915/02]

Austin Currie

Question:

168 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is the case that a development plan for Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital has been under discussion with his Department for the past ten years; if the implementation of the plan would make a substantial reduction in the waiting list for hip and knee surgery; if the hospital has been informed that no capital funding will be available in 2002 and 2003; when the necessary funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10471/02]

Pat Carey

Question:

171 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if capital funding is available in 2002 for developments at Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10474/02]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

173 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the development plan for Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital which was submitted to his Department for funding in 2002; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this application was fully supported by the Eastern Regional Health Authority; the reason funding was not provided; if he will give an undertaking to review this decision in view of the urgent need for these works to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10511/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 168, 171 and 173 together.

Responsibility for progressing capital development proposals in the Dublin area is in the first instance a matter for agreement between the Eastern Regional Health Authority and each hospital or health care agency. Such proposals submitted to my Department for approval have to be prioritised by the authority within the funding resources available under the national development plan. My Department is aware that Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital is anxious to proceed with a major capital development programme. This proposal will have to be considered by the ERHA in the light of competing demands for the region within the funding resources available under the NDP.

With regard to the capital funding which has been made available to Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital in the past ten years, my Department will collate these figures and forward them to Deputy Ahern as soon as possible.