Vol. 488 No. 4
211 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the facilities to be provided at Mayo General Hospital phase 2; when stage 5 will be approved by his Department; when authorisation will issue for release of the project to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6513/98]
The Western Health Board has recently sought my Department's approval for the work which has been completed by the design team on stage 5 of the planning process for the phase 2 development of Mayo General Hospital, and for the invitation of tenders.
The board's proposals are currently being examined in my Department, and I expect examination to be completed in the very near future. The phase 2 development includes provision for the following: ward accommodation in the medical, surgical, orthopaedic, geriatric, obstetric and gynaecology, and psychiatric departments; A and E and OPD; pathology, pharmacy, radiology, HSSD and various other facilities, including concourse, on-call accommodation and mortuary.
212 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when he last visited Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare; if his attention was drawn to the degree to which improvements to patient accommodation and medical infrastructure is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6547/98]
While I have not visited Naas General Hospital as Minister for Health, I can assure the Deputy that I have been kept fully informed in relation to difficulties being experienced at the hospital. As the Deputy is aware, the revised phase 2 development brief for Naas General Hospital has now been approved and incorporates the following additional provisions as compared to the original proposal: additional general medical and surgical ward, 31 beds; department of medicine for the elderly; day services unit; department of radiology; operating department and department of physical medicine.
The construction cost limit of accommodating these changes to the phase 2 development brief is £18 million. The detailed planning of this major new development is proceeding rapidly and I am assured by the Eastern Health Board that the work will continue to be progressed as quickly as possible.
