Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.

Paddy McHugh

Question:

1031 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Health and Children if the planning brief for the Tuam Health Campus, incorporating the upgrading of the Tuam Hospital, has been received by his Department; if he will allocate resources to enable detailed design work to commence; if, in view of the study already carried out by the Western Health Board, pinpointing Tuam as the desired location for an ambulance base to serve the region, he will make available resources to have this ambulance base put in place on the site of the Tuam Hospital; if he will make funding available to commence the refurbishment and upgrading of the existing hospital pending the finalisation of the overall development plan for the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15986/02]

Paul Connaughton

Question:

1039 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the new community hospital for Tuam, County Galway; if there are plans available for the new project; and when the building is expected to commence. [16011/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1031 and 1039 together.

A 150 page project planning brief for Tuam Health Campus was received in my Department yesterday, 8 October. Proposals for a community hospital and an ambulance base are included in the submission. There are eight separate elements to the brief which will, in the circumstances, take quite some time to consider and my Department will be in touch with the Western Health Board in due course about the brief.