My Department does not enter contracts for capital projects.
The HSE is the main agency with responsibility for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure.
As Minister for Health, I am responsible for the approval of the Health Service Executive’s capital plans in accordance with the Health Acts, in particular, Part 7 of the Health Act 2004 as amended. My Department oversees the implementation of the capital programme through the allocation of funding, the negotiation and approval of HSE corporate and annual plans and the monitoring of the implementation of annual plans.
Agencies under the aegis of my Department are required to comply with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the Public Spending Code. The management of contracts on capital projects is a matter for each agency. Variations can occur in the cost of capital projects for a number of different reasons, including amendments to specifications after the original contract is signed.