Hospitals Building Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2005

Tuesday, 29 November 2005

Questions (196)

Willie Penrose

Question:

184 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason €56.4 million appears to have been underspent by her Department, while the much needed facility at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, remains incomplete; the way in which this fits in with her recent announcement that efforts are being made by her Department to fast track the completion and fit out of the ward accommodation in the shelled out area at this hospital and that the design team is preparing detailed drawings with the intention of going to tender in March 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36783/05]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The recently announced Estimates for Public Services — Abridged Version — provides for possible deferral of €56.4 million of capital funding in respect of the Health Service Executive Vote. The 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. This includes responsibility for considering new capital proposals or progressing those in the health capital programme. Accordingly, my Department is requesting the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.