Work on the preparation of an outline development control plan, ODCP, for Ennis General Hospital has commenced and is now well underway. This work is being directed by a project team, which includes representatives of my Department, the Mid-Western Health Board, and the hospital. The design team has proposed alternative design options for consideration by the project team. These are now being examined and considered in the normal way. I understand that design work on the outline development control plan is nearing completion.
The proposed priority areas for development include the accident and emergency department, out-patients department, radiology and in-patient ward areas. The ODCP will help to define the scope and content of the first phase of redevelopment for Ennis General Hospital and to confirm final decisions in relation to the sequence of construction work in due course. Funding will be made available by my Department, under the national development plan, to progress this project in 2005.