asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position regarding the new Ardkeen Hospital, County Waterford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ardkeen (Waterford) New Hospital.
32.
Planning on the development of Ardkeen Hospital has been completed but I am not in a position to say when the development work can go ahead. I am at present reviewing the capital allocation of my Department taking account of the contractual commitments entered into, the level of resource available to me, and the priorities of the health agencies.
In this regard I should perhaps say that in calculating the capital to be made available to the Department of Health for the years 1983-87 for the purpose of the publication of The Way Forward the previous Government provided for a start in building on Ardkeen in late 1986. Realistically, in the present economic circumstances, I cannot see that the project has any chance of starting earlier than was provided for, namely late 1986.
Is the Minister aware that more than £2 million has been spent on the planning of Ardkeen? In view of that is the Minister prepared to give a more definite commitment than he has?
I am aware that the detailed planning of the project has been completed on this major project to increase the bed complement from 290 to 600. I am also aware that the cost of the development would be £40 million, presumably at 1982 prices, and that the building would take about five years to complete. In view of the contractual commitments for the next two or three years, and the review I am currently undertaking, I should like to reiterate that there is no prospect whatsoever of this project starting earlier than the end of 1986. In fact, it could be well into 1987.
Will the Minister comment on a statement made by a Labour Senator that in the five year plan only £50,000 had been allocated for Ardkeen in the next three years?
I am not aware of such a statement. All statements made in relation to this matter are now irrelevant. The information I have in my Department is that on the capital resources available to us as of now there is no way I can allocate any money to Ardkeen in terms of a start earlier than the end of 1986. It could well be, as a result of the revision that has now taken place, that it will be 1987 or, indeed, 1988.
Is the Minister now saying no provision will be made for Ardkeen Hospital over the next four or five years?
No provision whatsoever.
Is the Minister also saying that the commitment involved in the five-year programme to which he referred, and which was introduced by the previous Fianna Fáil Government, cannot be confirmed and that the start of building in 1986 is not now certain?
On the basis of the capital programme agreed between the Department of Health and the Department of Finance construction is due to start on Ardkeen Hospital in late 1986. No money has been provided for 1983, 1984, 1985 and the first half of 1986. A further revision is now being undertaken of the capital programme for the whole country, and priorities in that regard. Irrespective of the merits of the planning to date, there is no prospect as of now of the construction of that hospital starting before late 1986. On the basis of the outcome of the review, it could will be in 1987 or much later. Deputies should know the exact truth in those situations.