Liz McManus
Question:549 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding being made available for necessary works in view of commitments made for funding of the Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles. [15520/03]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
The capital cost of this project is being met from the national development plan. My Department is currently reviewing, from a national point of view, the NDP for the health sector generally. 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. It is in this context that capital developments for the Mid-Western Health Board, including the proposed construction for the Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, are being examined. My Department fully appreciates the importance of progressing this development and will continue to liaise closely with the board in relation to their overall capital needs and priorities, with a view to progressing this project at the earliest possible date.