Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2005
60 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if an application for funding to staff a special care baby unit at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, has been received in her Department; if so, the date of receipt of this application; the number of staff involved; the estimated annual cost; when a decision on this application will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20454/05]
View answerMy Department provided additional revenue funding to the former Midland Health Board in 2002 and 2003 for the development of acute hospital services. The board indicated that part of this funding would be used to support the development of special care baby units in the region. A new special care baby unit has been commissioned at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, while a second unit has been built and equipped at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar. The commissioning of this unit is a matter for the Health Service Executive, and my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy in this regard.
61 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the 12 bedded unit at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, is now fully operational; the date on which this unit became operative; the number of beds which currently in operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20455/05]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
