Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
570. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if the State will automatically retain full ownership of and access to any maternity hospital built on the site leased from a registered charity (details supplied) after the 99-year lease has expired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12639/20]
View answer571. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if the Comptroller and Auditor General has been consulted in respect of the terms of the proposed 99 year lease of land from a registered charity (details supplied) and the building of a national maternity hospital; if a business case been prepared in respect of the lease as required under the public spending code; if so, if it includes a cost effectiveness analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12640/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 570 and 571 together.
Officials in my Department are engaging with, and obtaining legal advice from, the Chief State Solicitor's Office in relation to the all of the documents comprising the legal framework for the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) at Elm Park, including the Lease. The Deputy may wish to note that the legal agreement, when finalised, will be brought to Government for approval. The Comptroller and Auditor General has not been consulted regarding the terms of the proposed lease.
As I have outlined to the Deputy in a recent PQ response, the Lease has yet to be finalised, and in those circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any specific provisions. However, the position regarding the continuity of maternity care at the site, after the 99 year term of the Lease has expired, has been considered in full.
A comprehensive Final Business Case is being developed for the NMH project and I understand that work on this is well advanced. This Final Business Case is being developed in accordance with the Public Spending Code.
