Vol. 571 No. 1
994 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give details of the allocation of funds for capital works of phase 2B at Mullingar General Hospital for 2003; and what it is intended that this money be spent on. [20960/03]
1009 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the current position concerning the completion of phase 2B of Mullingar Regional Hospital; when the hospital will be ready for occupation; the reason for the significant delay that has taken place to date in completing this vital facility for the people of Westmeath and Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21210/03]
I intend to answer Questions Nos. 994 and 1009 together.
Approval of the appointment of a design team for the preparation of a development control plan, DCP, for the whole hospital development was granted in August 2001. As the approval increased the scope of the phase 2B project to include indicative accommodation proposed in the design brief, for construction in phases subsequent to 2B, the board's project team was requested to review the design brief to reflect procurement of all phases under a single building contract.
The revised design brief was approved by my Department and the design team and project team are progressing the preparation of the DCP for the whole hospital development. Funding of €600,000 approximately has been allocated for 2003 for the preparation of the DCP which is at an advanced stage of the development.
The delay in progressing finalisation of the DCP for this project is not considered significant given the complexity of the planning issues encountered in meeting the design brief's demanding requirements related to stageing the works and the need to maintain a working hospital for the duration of the construction period.
A programme for the construction, including phased handover, equipping and commissioning of the hospital will be available on completion of the DCP.
995 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the up-to-date position regarding the replacement of the District Hospital, Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20961/03]
A brief, prepared by a project team established for the proposed redevelopment at St. Vincent's Hospital, Dungarvan, has been completed. The next step in relation to the proposed development would be the appointment of a design team to commence planning. This is at present being considered by my Department, in conjunction with the South Eastern Health Board. My Department will continue to liaise closely with the board regarding progressing this particular proposal.
