Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
325 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the proposed extension and enlargement from 23 to 45 beds at Dunmanway community hospital, which was sanctioned in 1996; the progress which has been made in the meantime; and when the work will commence. [2067/05]
View answerThe Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.
As part of the executive's responsibility to prepare and submit an annual service plan for my approval, it is obliged under section 31 of the Act to indicate any capital plans proposed by the executive. In this process, the executive can be expected to have regard to the full range of potential capital developments, its own criteria in determining priorities, available resources and any other relevant factors.
My Department is awaiting the 2005 service plan from the Heath Service Executive. In the interim, my Department has asked the chief executive of the Health Service Executive — southern area — to investigate the position in relation to this project and to reply directly to the Deputy.
