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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

486 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in responding to the request from the Southern Health Board for approval of the appointment of a design team for the extension of Bandon Community Hospital, which was sought in April 2002; and if the approval will be forthcoming. [11969/03]

The enlargement of Bandon Community Hospital from 23 beds to 40 beds is included in the board's programme for services for older people to be carried out under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The project involved the replanning of the existing accommodation and the addition of new accommodation to provide an integrated 40 bed hospital to meet preset standards of care.

The draft design brief was forwarded to the Department of Health and Children in April 2002, with a request for approval to appoint a design team. Once the design team is appointed the board would hope to advance the planning stages during 2003 and 2004.

At present, approval to progress this project is currently being considered by my Department in the context of a review of health capital projects under the national development plan. It is expected that this review will be completed shortly. My Department will then be in a position to discuss with the Southern Health Board the question of progressing this project in the light of capital priorities overall within the board's area and in line with funding resources available under the NDP.

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