Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2017
66. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to significantly increase capacity at Tallaght Hospital to meet the increase in population and the increase in the age of the population in the catchment area of Tallaght Hospital over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47975/17]
View answerTallaght Hospital recently provided my Department with an overview of the major capital projects that are in progress and the major capital projects that are planned at the hospital.
Future capital investment in hospitals must be considered within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs, having regard to the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place.
In addition, work on the Health Service Capacity Review is progressing. The review will have a wider scope than previous exercises and will examine key elements of primary and community care infrastructure in addition to hospital facilities including Tallaght Hospital. As part of the review process, my Department has commissioned external consultants to provide technical, analytical and engagement expertise. A Steering Group is overseeing the project and an independent international peer review group is involved in ongoing review and validation of the methodology and approach. My Department has also undertaken a public consultation process to ensure that stakeholder views are fed into the process.
The findings from the Review will provide a basis for determining both the extent of capacity requirements over the next 15 years and the type of capacity that is needed at a national and regional level. The emerging findings from the review will inform the development of a new 10 year national capital plan later this year. The final report will be published before the end of the year.
