Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
1912. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital projects he sought funding for, were sanctioned and funding provided, respectively, as part of the Estimates process for budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34339/19]
View answer1913. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if his Department submitted a list of capital spending projects for 2019 to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in advance of budget 2019; the way in which the capital spending allocation was decided for his departmental group of Votes in 2019; if he had to outline in advance his spending priorities; the projects he sought sanction for in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34340/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1912 and 1913 together.
Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027 determined the capital funding available for the public health sector which is €10,900m over the period of the plan. In the National Development Plan €10.9 billion in funding was allocated to the health sector over the 10 years to 2027. This represents a 165% increase in the capital funding provided over the previous 10 years. The capital allocations for the health sector over the years to 2022 were published in the plan.
It is important to note that neither the Department nor the Minister has a role in the approval of individual capital projects.
The HSE is responsible for the delivery and management of public healthcare infrastructure. Each capital project is appraised, managed, approved and progressed in accordance with the HSE’s Capital Projects Manual and Approval Protocol which adheres to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the Public Spending Code.
The Minister for Health is responsible for approval of the Health Service Executive’s capital plans, in accordance with the Health Act 2004. The HSE Capital Plan determines the projects that can progress in any given year having regard to the total available capital funding and the relevant priority of each project. All Health capital projects at various stages of development are considered as part of this process. In developing its Capital Plan, the HSE must consider a range of issues including the expenditure that is contractually committed and the annual requirement in relation to meeting risks associated with clinical equipment, ambulances and healthcare infrastructure.
My Department is continuing to work with the Health Service Executive to finalise as soon as possible a capital plan for 2019.
