I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 to 145, inclusive, and Nos. 150 to 157, inclusive, together.
The project team established to plan for the overall future development of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, has undertaken a detailed examination of the potential to redevelop the hospital on its present site. It concluded that the existing clinical services could be retained and developed on the present site, but also set out the implications of such an approach in terms of time, cost and disruption to services. As a consequence, it is my view that it is likely that the new hospital will be located at an alternative site.
I met with members of the hospital's committee of management last September and they articulated the concerns of the hospital's staff on the disruption to services that would be caused by redevelopment on-site.
I have asked the Health Service Executive to arrange for a review to be undertaken of highly specialised paediatric services to ensure that they are provided in the most efficient and effective manner. The outcome of this review will help to inform the decision on the range of services to be provided at the new Crumlin hospital. I expect this review to be completed as a matter of urgency.
It is proposed, when the review has been completed, that a site option appraisal study will be carried out, the focus of which will be to evaluate the options for the relocation of the hospital, leading to the acquisition of an alternative site if such is recommended by the process. This study will be subject to public tendering procedures.
I am aware that there is significant private sector interest in the redevelopment of the hospital and I have met with a number of the interested parties.