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National Maternity Hospital

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022

Tuesday, 15 February 2022

Questions (88)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

88. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he has received a business case for the proposed new National Maternity Hospital as required under the Public Spending Code; if not, the status of the matter; if his attention has been drawn to reports of the repeated refusal of the HSE audit and risk committee to approve the proposed relocation of the new National Maternity Hospital under the currently proposed corporate structure, under which the National Maternity Hospital DAC would become a wholly owned subsidiary of a company (details supplied); the way the substantial public investment can be protected in such a corporate structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2804/22]

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Written answers

The HSE has submitted the Business Case for the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) to my Department for consideration and review, and this is ongoing.

As set out in the Programme for Government, we are committed to the development of the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) planned for the St Vincent’s University Hospital campus. The Government is also aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding ownership and governance of the new NMH, and recognises that these matters must be addressed.  

This is a vital project and I have been clear that I will not bring any proposal to Government unless it provides assurances around all legally permissible services being provided in the new NMH. The safeguarding of the State’s investment must also be affirmed beyond doubt. Work is ongoing on the legal arrangements that will be put in place to achieve these objectives.

There is a process ongoing to finalise the legal arrangements and in that regard there has been further engagement with stakeholders. I will bring a proposal to Government for approval to proceed once I am satisfied that the legal arrangements achieve the objectives that I set out above. However, I will not be making any further comment in relation to this matter until the process of engagement and deliberation regarding the legal arrangements has concluded.

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