Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Funding.

Liam Lawlor

Ceist:

121 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will confirm that the combined total funding for the upgrading of James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 will be in the region of £21 million to £25 million based upon revenues from sale of land estimated at £10.5 million to £12 million with pound for pound matching funding from his Department; the likely timescale during which this funding will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21805/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The development of James Connolly Memorial Hospital is to be partly funded by the Eastern Health Board from revenue raised by the sale of lands at the hospital. My Department will match this funding on a £1 for £1 basis.

The process of appointing a design team is currently being finalised. Its first task will be to draw up a protective development control plan for the total development. It is envisaged that this work will be completed in the spring of 1998, following which the detailed planning and tender documentation for phase 1 of the development will be drawn up.

The scope of the phase 1 scheme will depend on the combined total funding which will be available. As this will depend on the amount that can be realised by the board from the sale of the lands, it is not possible to be precise at this stage in relation to the total funding requirement or the timing of the respective contributions.