Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
36. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48894/23]
View answerConnolly Hospital Blanchardstown is a major teaching academic hospital within the RCSI hospital group and is a statutory hospital under the governance of HSE.
As Minister for Health I am committed to the ongoing development of Connolly Hospital. The budget for the hospital has increased from €118m in 2019 to €134m in 2022, an increase of 13%. There has also been significant capital investment in services in Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in recent years. Developments in 2021 included upgrades to the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department in 2021, and the opening of a new infusion suite for haematology and rheumatology patients with 6 isolation and treatment rooms. This included a negative pressure isolation room for the ICU and an isolation room for the ED. In 2022, 15 new consultation rooms were added to provide for rheumatology and endocrine out patients appointments.
Following the announcement of the budget allocation for my Department, I will shortly be issuing a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. This will be the basis on which the HSE will draw up its National Service Plan for 2024. It is not until the conclusion of this process that a detailed breakdown of non-core expenditure will be available.
