Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2004
99 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the design phase in relation to a hospital (details supplied) in County Cork has been completed; and when it is expected that the building phase will commence. [34045/04]
View answerThe Southern Health Board has proposed that capital development works be undertaken at Bandon Community Hospital, to increase its existing bed complement from 23 to 40 beds.
A project team has prepared a draft brief which is at present being considered by the board and my Department. Issues such as the scope of the development, and the possible configuration of the proposed extra beds, have yet to be agreed. There are also significant non-capital costs associated with the proposal that remain to be addressed. A considerable amount of work remains to be done to clarify all outstanding issues. In the circumstances, it is not possible at this stage to indicate when building works may commence. I fully appreciate the need for new infrastructure works at the hospital. The project will be considered in the context of the Health Capital Investment Framework 2005-09, in line with overall funding resources available to progress new capital commitments under this initiative.
