My Department is continuing to work with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Health Service Executive in a process to finalise as soon as possible a multi-annual Capital Plan for the HSE, which will include capital projects to be funded in 2019 and beyond, having regard to the available capital funding and the number of large national capital projects currently under way. The availability of funding determines the timeframe for the delivery of capital projects such as the proposed 50 bed replacement ward block at Portiuncula Hospital. I understand that planning permission has been received and that tender documents are being prepared with a view to progressing the procurement process for an enabling works contract.