Vol. 567 No. 5
286 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will publish the details of the capital projects being initiated during 2003 by his Department and planned for the following four years; and the current estimate of the final cost of the projects in each case. [14457/03]
My Department has a large number of capital projects under way in the current year which were sanctioned in previous years. A significant proportion of the overall health capital funding available in 2003 and subsequent years is committed to these projects across all health care programmes and in all health board areas.
My Department is reviewing its overall capital programme under the national development plan, to the end of 2006. This is an on-going feature of monitoring progress and expenditure for a major capital programme to ensure efficient delivery of projects in line with available funding. It is important that, in planning for the future, my Department retains some degree of flexibility in relation to capital developments to meet existing commitments and changing service needs and priorities as these arise. Completion of this review will allow the initiation of new capital projects in 2003.
The Deputy may wish to note that a mid-term review of the economic and social infrastructure operational programme, which includes details relating to health capital projects under the national development plan, will be held in mid-2003. Preparatory work is under way in this.
