Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2004
111 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the timescale for the building, completion and opening of the new hospital in Dingle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31595/04]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the provision of health services in Dingle is a matter for the Southern Health Board in the first instance. The health board, in consultation with the Department of Health and Children, decided to build a new 72-bed community hospital in Dingle, County Kerry, to replace the existing hospital. The new hospital will comprise a mix of beds for continuing care, rehabilitation and convalescence, respite, palliative care and direct admissions by local GPs and primary care teams. There will be a central module, a day care unit, a mental health day care unit and an ambulance base. The next step in progressing the Dingle project is to invite tenders for its construction. Any decision on progressing the project will be considered by the Department in the context of the significant additional revenue funding and the staff which will be required by the board to operate the new hospital and having regard to the board's employment ceiling and funding available to the Department.
