Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 February 2019
126. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if funds will be allocated to refurbish an acute mental health unit in University Hospital Kerry as committed to in the 2019 national service plan of the HSE; if the overspend on the national children’s hospital will not impact on this commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8828/19]
View answerThe new children’s hospital is a vital and much needed project. The Government has examined the funding pressures associated with delivering this important project and has made adjustments to capital allocations to ensure that the new children’s hospital will be delivered.
My Department and the Health Service Executive are currently engaged in a process to finalise the HSE Capital Plan for 2019. The HSE Capital Plan will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond having regard to the total available capital funding and the relevant priority of each project.
All Health capital projects, currently at various stages of development, such as the project in Kerry, are included as part of this process. Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2019, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly and outline the current status of Kerry University Hospital.
