As outlined in November 2002, my Department and I fully appreciate and are aware of the service Roscommon County Hospital provides for the people of County Roscommon. I was not aware the Senator's father was one of the stone masons who worked on the building. The Senator has been very much involved in the delivery, enhancement and improvement of services at the hospital since his father put the first stones in place. The Senator and the people of County Roscommon are aware that the hospital has served the community well in providing health services in surgery, medicine, geriatric assessment and psychiatry as well as casualty and out-patient services. The Senator was involved in ensuring the budget for the hospital increased to €14 million this year, more than double the level in 1997.
Mainly arising from a number of representations made by the Senator, the hospital has benefited from a number of developments during the years. In December 1991 St. Teresa's ward was opened providing 16 additional beds. In February 1992 a new acute psychiatric unit was opened while in 1993 a consultant with an interest in the elderly was appointed.
In 1994, 24 rehabilitation beds with linkages to the hospital were commissioned at the Sacred Heart Home in Roscommon. In 1997, educational, seminar and conference facilities for all the county's health services were provided with the refurbishment and renovation of the training centre at Roscommon County Hospital. In December 1998, new surgical facilities at the hospital were opened at a capital cost of €760,000. This provided for five additional beds, hospice accommodation, renovation of the surgical ward and an increase in single room accommodation.
In 1999, a second consultant surgeon took up duty at the hospital. In May 2000, the hospital's drainage system was upgraded at a capital cost of €246,000. In May 2001, the doctors' residences were refurbished at a capital cost of more than €57,000. In June 2001, when the Minister visited the hospital, he provided €1.65 million to carry out additional capital works at the hospital. The screening room equipment has been replaced and the theatre department is being upgraded. It was hoped that St. Coman's ward would be accommodated in that €1.65 million.
In April 2002, the Minister issued approval to accept the tender for the development of a new accident and emergency department, nine bed admissions unit, medical records department, radiology film storage, staff changing facilities and ultrasound room, at an estimated capital cost of more than €7.8 million. Construction is under way, with an estimated completion date of later on this year.
As can be seen from the list of developments I have outlined, the Government is committed to the development of facilities at Roscommon County Hospital. In particular, the development of surgical services has enabled the hospital to increase its day surgery work. My Department is very aware that St. Coman's ward is in need of upgrading. Plans have been agreed with the Western Health Board design team, local management and their technical services department. Unfortunately, the Western Health Board is unable to provide the funding for this project from within the funding of €1.65 million provided by the Minister last year. The funding provided has been utilised to purchase new X-ray equipment and refurbish the operating theatre.
My Department is currently reviewing, from a national point of view, the national development plan for the health sector generally in light of the outturn position for 2002. 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 Western Health Board region, including the proposed developments at Roscommon County Hospital, are being considered. When the review is completed, the Western Health Board will be advised of the position in relation to the funding of further developments at Roscommon County Hospital.
I greatly appreciate the particular and special interest in this issue of my good friend and colleague, Senator Leyden. I will certainly take note of his question tonight and come back to him as soon as the position is clearer.