Vol. 493 No. 5
157 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has in relation to the Meath Hospital, Dublin 8; the situation regarding ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16608/98]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Meath Hospital is a voluntary hospital and, as such, the hospital or its successor body has full ownership of its site. I understand that the Meath Hospital Board is in the process of transferring its property to a charitable foundation to be known as the Meath Hospital Foundation by virtue of a Cy-Pres scheme and that the hospital site will be offered for sale when this process is complete.
The Eastern Health Board has secured a one year lease from 22 June 1998 for ward areas and ancillary accommodation on part of the Meath Hospital site and is now operating an extended care facility for mainly older patients on the site. The Eastern Health Board has also expressed an interest in acquiring the Meath Hospital campus.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this stage.
