Vol. 565 No. 4
150 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on a recent report that seven consultants at Ennis General Hospital believe that development plans for the hospital under the NDP have been shelved; the position regarding the appointment of a design team and funding for the development project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11328/03]
I am committed to developing Ennis General Hospital as part of the acute hospital services in the Mid-Western Health Board region. A briefing document has been prepared by the project team which I established. This document sets out the broad scope of the future development of the hospital to be considered in the preparation of a development control plan. The Mid-Western Health Board has identified the following areas as priority areas for development, on completion of the plan: ward upgrade; accident and emergency; radiology; out-patients; and general infrastructure upgrade.
The Mid-Western Health Board has endorsed the briefing document and requested approval to formally appoint the selected design team to prepare the development control plan.
My Department is currently reviewing the national development plan for the health sector nationally in light of the outturn position for 2002. This process involves providing for existing capital contractual commitments and commencing, where possible, the planning or construction of new projects nationally in 2003 or beyond. The proposed developments at Ennis will be considered in that context.
Questions Nos. 151 and 152 answered with Question No. 129.
