I propose to take Questions Nos. 609 and 610 together.
The Minister for Public Enterprise and Reform, Minister Howlin, T.D., announced in November 2011, at the publication of the "Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016: Medium Term Exchequer Framework" that the Government had decided to fund the construction of the New Children's Hospital with part of the proceeds from a new licensing arrangement for the National Lottery which would involve an up-front payment in exchange for a longer term licence. He indicated that details of the proposal would be brought to Government early 2012.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently examining the various options with respect to the next National Lottery licence. Minister Howlin expects to be in a position to revert to Government shortly on the matter. The Government's intention is to seek a large upfront payment to the State as part of the arrangements for the new licence, with some of the payment to be used to help fund the building of the proposed new National Children's Hospital. Following the publication of the Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016 Report, the Health Service Executive commenced drawing up its capital programme for the multi-annual period 2012-2016. The Executive is required to prioritise the capital infrastructure projects within its overall capital funding allocation taking into account the existing capital commitments and costs to completion over the period. A draft capital plan for the period 2012-2016 has been submitted to my Department. My Department has been reviewing the proposals and following up with the HSE where further details are required.
The recent developments regarding the National Children's Hospital will require that some of the assumptions made in the plan in that regard are reviewed and my Department, together with the HSE, will be addressing the issues arising as a matter of priority.