Conor Lenihan
Ceist:39 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a definitive date for the opening of the Tallaght hospital; and if further delays to this opening will be avoided. [2085/98]
Written Answers. - Tallaght (Dublin) Hospital.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that 21 June 1998 has been set by the board of the new hospital as being the opening date for services at Tallaght. The people of Tallaght and the hospital's catchment population have been patient in their wait for this fine facility and I do not expect that they will be asked to wait beyond 21 June.
I am assured that by 21 June the Adelaide Hospital and the National Children's Hospital will have moved to Tallaght and, with the exception of 76 beds for specific programmes, the Meath Hospital will also have moved to Tallaght by that date. It is intended that the acute psychiatric facilities currently provided at St. Loman's Hospital will transfer to the new hospital at Tallaght before 21 June.
The Deputy may be aware that last year the Department agreed to the hospital's proposals to develop private and semi-private facilities on site providing up to 77 additional beds. The development of these facilities is a matter for the board of the hospital which will own and manage them as an integral element of the total hospital. It is understood that these beds will not be available until next year. It is for this reason that the 76 beds which I mentioned above will be retained at the Meath Hospital.
While I appreciate the complexity of the exercise of transferring the services, patients and staff from the base hospitals, I have had repeated assurances from the hospital that progress towards the opening date is satisfactory and on course. I do not anticipate any delay beyond June 21. The hospital's decision to open on 21 June has been and will continue to be fully supported by the Department together with the staff of the base hospitals and the trade unions, the Eastern Health Board and other hospitals such as St. James's Hospital.