Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
1046. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the contacts he has had with a person (details supplied) in relation to the building of a National Children's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47843/12]
View answer1047. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he has had any communication with a person (details supplied) in relation to the Dolphin Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47844/12]
View answer1048. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he or any intermediary acting on his behalf has had any communication with a person (details supplied), in relation to the Dolphin Report and the building of a National Children's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47845/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1046 to 1048, inclusive, together.
As you will be aware, I established an independent Review Group to consider the implications of the decision of An Bórd Pleanála, received on 23 February 2012, to reject the planning application for the proposed construction of a national paediatric hospital on the site of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. The aim of the Review was to consider all the possible options for the earliest possible delivery of a new children's hospital. The group presented its report to me in June.
Since the report has been presented to me I have been carefully considering its contents and the issues involved and have sought further detailed analysis on technical issues from members of the Dolphin Group with particular expertise in these areas. I will bring the report and supplementary analysis to Government shortly, with my recommendation. Together in consultation with my colleagues in the cabinet we will then make a decision on the location of the new children's hospital.
While my Department has had informal contact with the individual referred to in regard to the new children's hospital, no independent report or formal advice has been sought from this individual nor from any other individual separate to the Dolphin Group. There is one process only. I can assure the Deputy that at the heart of any decision that is made in relation to the new children's hospital, the needs of the patient will be central to this process.
