Bernard Allen
Question:631 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a new health centre will be provided at Glanmire, County Cork. [1156/03]
Vol. 560 No. 1
631 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a new health centre will be provided at Glanmire, County Cork. [1156/03]
My Department is aware that the Southern Health Board (SHB) is anxious to develop a health centre at Glanmire, County Cork.
All capital requirements for the health boards, including the Eastern Regional Health Authority, are funded under the national development plan (NDP). My Department is at present reviewing, from a national perspective, the NDP for each health board in light of the outturn position for 2002. This process encompasses providing for existing capital contractual commitments and where possible, the planning or construction of new projects nationally in 2003 or beyond. It is in this context that capital developments for the SHB, including the proposal in relation to a health centre at Glanmire, are being considered. My Department fully appreciates the importance of progressing this development and will continue to work closely with the SHB in relation to prioritising its overall capital needs in line with the funding resources available under the NDP.
632 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in the sanctioning of the design team selected by the Southern Health Board in June 2002 for the proposed community hospital for Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1172/03]
The proposed development in Tralee will comprise a 50 bed nursing unit, various treatment and remedial departments, and back-up administrative and services facilities.
The most recent capital cost of the proposed project is of the order of €8.5 million at the September 2002 price base date. Certain revenue costs have also to be taken into account for the new facility.