Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Dec 2002

Vol. 559 No. 6

Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.

Martin Ferris

Question:

163 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children when additional funding will be made available for the construction of Tralee Community Hospital as promised in February; and when permission will be granted to appoint a design team. [26876/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The proposed development in Tralee will be tailored to meet the particular needs of its potential clients and will comprise a 50 bed nursing unit and back-up administrative and services facilities.

The project as planned will incorporate a mixture of services including extended care, convalescent care, respite beds and palliative care support.

The capital cost of the project, the most recent total estimate of which is in the region of €8.5 million, will be met from the national development plan. At present my Department is reviewing, from a national point of view, the NDP for the health sector in light of the outturn position for 2002. This also encompasses providing for existing capital contractual commitments and commencing, where possible, the planning or construction of new projects nationally in 2003 or beyond within the overall funding resources available to my Department. It is in this context that capital developments for the Southern Health Board region, including the proposed new unit at Tralee, are now being examined with a view to appointing a design team for this project at the earliest possible date. The Deputy may rest assured that I fully appreciate the importance and urgency of progressing this matter with the board.