Vol. 480 No. 7
90 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress since July 1997 in the advancement of the development plan for Naas General Hospital, County Kildare; the position in relation to commencement works on site; the availability of the necessary funds for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15133/97]
A development control plan for Naas General Hospital is currently being prepared, and the precise scope of the Phase 2 development within that plan is being considered by the Eastern Health Board in consultation with my Department.
The date of commencement of work on site will depend on several factors which cannot be quantified accurately in advance, including the rate of progress that can be achieved in relation to the design planning work. It is not possible to give a precise timetable at this stage.
Provision has been made in the health capital programme for 1997 to finance the planning fees involved, and the funding required in 1998 and subsequent years will be considered in the context of the Department's capital allocation for these years.
