Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 September 2013
55. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the additional support that will be provided to the three existing children’s hospitals pending the completion of the new hospital at the St. James's site, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40050/13]
View answerThe three existing paediatric hospitals in Dublin - Children's University Hospital Temple Street, Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin and the paediatric service at Tallaght - will come together in the new children's hospital when built. The HSE National Service Plan 2013 sets out the quantum and type of health services to be provided in 2013 by the three hospitals, within the overall level of funding provided.
The three hospitals have stated their commitment to becoming a single service across three sites and are working closely together, with a single Clinical Director across the three sites, to ensure optimisation of resources and facilities. Ms Eilish Hardiman has now been selected as the Chief Executive Officer of the new Children's Hospital Group, in an open recruitment process through the Public Appointments Service. Ms Hardiman’s appointment follows the appointment in April of Dr Jim Browne as Chairman of the Board of the Children’s Hospital Group and the appointment in August of nine Board members, including the Chairs of the three existing paediatric hospitals. This is an important step in moving towards a single entity and in supporting the operational integration of the three existing hospitals in advance of the new hospital being completed.
