Vol. 564 No. 1
224 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding stage III of the new 72 bed community hospital in Dingle, County Kerry; if the scheme design and cost plan have now been approved by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8733/03]
Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Kerry rests with the Southern Health Board. The development of a new 72 bed community hospital in Dingle is being planned by the board under its National Development Plan 2001-2006. Agreement has been reached on the purchase of the site for the new community hospital and the legal documentation for the transfer of the site is currently being completed.
A grant of planning permission for the project has been issued by Kerry County Council. Stage 3 of the project, which involves finalising the scheme design and cost plan, is being examined by my Department. This proposal will fall to be considered in the context of the overall funding resources available to my Department under the national development plan.
