Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 November 2022
191. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention was drawn to the fact an organisation (details supplied) retained ownership of the Herbert Wing of St. Vincent’s University Hospital under a commercial agreement with St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group when the relocation of the national maternity hospital to Elm Park was approved by the Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59848/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Religious Sisters of Charity (RSC) transferred their shareholding in St Vincent’s Healthcare Group (SVHG) to St Vincent’s Holdings in April of this year. The share transfer was a transaction between the RSC and SVHG.
On 17 May last, the Government approved the legal framework that will underpin the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) to the St Vincent’s campus at Elm Park. In approving the legal framework, the Government was satisfied that the framework achieves the State’s objectives and:
- Ensures that all legally permissible services will be available in the new NMH
- Prevents any influence, religious or otherwise, on the operation of the new hospital
- Safeguards the State’s significant investment in the hospital.
The Herbert Wing lease is not a part of the legal framework for the relocation of the NMH.
