As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for the provision of health services in the Limerick area rests with the Health Service Executive mid western area in the first instance.
As part of the executive's responsibility to prepare and submit an annual service plan for the Tánaiste's 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.
Capital funding for the health service is now largely provided through the Health Service Executive in line with the capital investment framework 2005-09. This amounts to €564 million in 2005. I am awaiting further clarification by the Health Service Executive of certain non-capital funding issues.