asked the Minister for Health if he will state the progress being made regarding the phasing out of hospitals within the Federated Dublin Voluntary Hospitals group.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Phasing Out.
1.
The closure of three of the Federated Dublin Voluntary Hospitals—Sir Patrick Dun's, Mercers and Baggot Street—is scheduled to take place when the development of St. James's Hospital now being planned, is effected. Phasing out of other Federated Hospitals is dependent on the programme for the development of other major hospitals in Dublin, notably the new hospital at Newlands Cross.
A certain movement of services from the Federated Dublin Voluntary Hospitals Group to St. James's has taken place or is under consideration. This movement, in general, has my support and in the meantime the position of the various hospitals in the Federated Dublin Voluntary Hospitals will be kept under review.
Could I ask the Minister when the first of the federated hospitals will be closed?
I have said this, when the development of St. James's Hospital has been effected, but there has been a partial transfer in respect of St. James's Hospital for surgery and for medicine where they have taken over about 49 beds, 34 for medicine and 15 for surgery.
Can I take it from what the Minister says that these hospitals cannot be saved, that they will go anyway?
They have agreed to be phased into St. James's Hospital.
So they will be going in ten years' time, I suppose?
As I said, when the improvements in St. James's hospital are effected.
Would the Minister say if Beaumont Hospital is included in this programme and what are the present plans for the hospital?
Planning has not started yet, but there are hopeful negotiations in respect of a site there. I am informed there will be no difficulty about planning and amenities such as water and sewerage.
I thought the site was fixed some time ago.
I said "negotiations" in respect of the site. The site is fixed but negotiations are proceeding.
The site has not been purchased yet?
Not quite yet.
Oh dear.
There are two parties to a sale.
Would it not be possible to go ahead with the planning of the hospitals in anticipation of the acquisition of the site rather than have delays caused by legal tie-ups?
Negotiations and discussions are going along in regard to Beaumont, but as I indicated on another occasion, priority has been given to St. James's Hospital as far as planning is concerned.