asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of the new maternity wing at Galway Regional Hospital (1) the reason it was built, (2) the cost of the extension, (3) the date work was completed, (4) the facilities provided, (5) the reason it is not yet in use and (6) when it will be in use.
Written Answers. - Galway Regional Hospital.
313.
(1) The decision to build a new maternity wing at Galway Regional Hospital was based on the need to alleviate the problem of overcrowding in the existing accommodation and also on the need to upgrade facilities there; (2) The estimated cost of planning, building and equipping this development is of the order of £4 million at current prices; (3) It is expected that building work will be completed by the end of December 1983; (4) The scheme comprises an out-patients department, admission suite, delivery suite, a special care neo-natal unit and an administration department together with a 31-bed ward block; (5) and (6) The Western Health Board has requested 75 additional staff to service the new extension. However, in common with all other health agencies, the board must operate within existing financial and staffing constraints. Accordingly any additional staff required must be provided by redeployment. While parts of the delivery suite and of the neo-natal unit have been put into use in this way the commissioning of the total development, which is the board's highest priority, can only take place when further necessary redeployment measures are taken.