Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
1064. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if the commitment to the building of a second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford will be reaffirmed; if so, the date on which a build contract will be signed off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14928/20]
View answerThe Estates unit in the Health Service Executive has been tasked with the delivery of additional capacity (infrastructure and equipment) nationwide in the effort for the containment and prevention of the spread of the Coronavirus - COVID-19. This has resulted in delays to works and schedules.
Funding has been allocated in the Capital Plan for the provision of 2nd Cath Lab at University Hospital Waterford. Planning Permission is in place for this project and applications for fire and disability certification are currently in progress. It is anticipated the project will go to tender in late August/early September – subject to approval. As required by OGP, tender is a 2 stage process for Main and Specialist contractors. This process will take approximately 4 months.
At present the draft Capital Plan 2020 is being reviewed and revised to take account of the impact of Covid-19 which resulted in delays on many projects and the funding of an emergency Covid-19 programme of works. Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2020, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.
