Vol. 573 No. 1
224 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, is to receive ?150,000 to spend on upgrading the hospital and also a new hospital for ?15 million; the timescale for the completion of upgrading and also commencement and completion of building the new hospital; the steps being taken to avoid duplication of upgrading while building a ?15 million hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24454/03]
My Department recently gave approval to the Mid-Western Health Board to undertake urgent minor capital works to the value of €110,000 at the Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles as part of a national programme of maintenance, replacement equipment and similar works. Investment in this instance is required to repair existing roofs, to improve bathrooms and to deal with pressing fire and safety issues in the existing hospital buildings. The board had originally envisaged, at the time of assessing the minor capital needs in this case, a funding requirement of approximately €150,000. However, in light of the approval given by my Department to the board on 9 October last to proceed to tender for the construction of a replacement for the existing hospital, the board, in conjunction with my Department, agreed a revised minor capital funding requirement of €110,000. This was to avoid, in the circumstances, any duplication of investment. I understand the board hopes to complete these minor capital works as soon as possible, preferably by the end of the year.
The current total estimated cost of the new hospital is in the region of €20 million. It is hoped that, subject to satisfactory completion of the tender process now under way, construction of the new project will commence around March 2004 and will take approximately two years.
