Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
3220. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a lease (details supplied) includes a condition that a licence be granted to the group to operate the new facility for the entire duration of the term of the lease. [40870/21]
View answer3221. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he has sought to secure the transfer of the freehold ownership of the site of the new maternity hospital to the State from a group (details supplied); and the progress that has been made in relation to this issue. [40871/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 3220 and 3221 together.
As the Deputy is aware, a draft legal framework has been developed which aims to address the ownership and governance arrangements at the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH). The draft legal framework provides for the new hospital to be built on a site leased by the State from the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group (SVHG) for a period of 99 years, with the potential to extend for a further 50 years. The framework also provides for an Operating Licence to be issued by the HSE to NMH at Elm Park DAC and SVHG to facilitate the provision of health services in the new building.
As I have previously emphasised, I will not bring any proposal to Government unless it provides assurances around all legally permissible services being provided in the new NMH as well as ensuring that the State’s investment in the new hospital is safeguarded. In that context, and as previously stated, there has been further engagement with the stakeholders in relation to these matters. However, I have been very clear that I will not be making any further comment on the nature of this engagement until it concludes.
