Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2019
342. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if a new emergency department and a cystic fibrosis unit will be provided at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38603/19]
View answerThe Health Service Executive recently published its Capital Plan for 2019-2021 outlining 250 projects to be progressed over the three-year period.
The Capital Plan includes the new emergency department, which is at planning stage and a cystic fibrosis unit, which is at design stage at Beaumont Hospital.
It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement, before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established. The final decision to proceed with the construction of a project cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal delivers value for money and remains affordable, and that sufficient funding is available to fund the project to completion, including equipping and commissioning costs.
The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, which can impact on the timeline for delivery.
The HSE actively manages the capital programme in order to ensure it has flexibility to progress as many projects as possible within the available funding, particularly in the event of any project not progressing as anticipated.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
