I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter. The Minister of State, Deputy Moffatt, has shown great interest in this issue and has been working on it for some time. However, the problem lies not with the Department of Health and Children but with the Department of Finance.
Phase two of Mayo General Hospital is now a long running saga. In May 1994, the then Minister, Deputy Howlin, established a project team. In July 1995, as Minister I announced approval for 33 beds for the orthopaedic services. In February 1996, the brief was approved by the then Minister, Deputy Noonan, when he visited the hospital. He agreed at that time to establish the CT scan facility and in June 1996 the design team was appointed by the Minister.
In November 1997, the planning process was completed and the board advertised for contractors and sub-contractors for inclusion in the list of tenderers. In February, the board was ready to invite tenders but it was not approved by the Minister, Deputy Cowen, until May 1998 when he visited the hospital. The Minister promised that work would be well under way before the end of this year. August 1998 was the closing date for the receipt of tenders and in September 1998 the recommendation for acceptance of tenders was sent to the Minister. Three months later approval is still awaited.
Nobody would wish that an internal audit required by University College Hospital, Galway, should mean a delay in the provision of beds in phase two of Mayo General Hospital. Can the Minister of State explain the reason for a delay of almost one year from the time tenders were ready to be invited in February 1998 and the acceptance of the recommended tender by the Minister? A capital allocation of £2 million for this project was made in 1998. Will this money be unspent, given the current situation in the Department? I am anxious to receive a Government commitment that there will be no delay, other than what is necessary, before this project commences.
I emphasise that the delay is not in the Department of Health and Children, but in the Department of Finance. That is because of the running cost envisaged for the hospital, the vast majority of which is associated with the orthopaedic unit which is much needed. This phase two facility will provide decent hospital facilities for the people of County Mayo well into the next century. It is long awaited following the provision of phase one. I await Minister Moffatt's reply with interest. I hope there will be no further delay and that work will commence before the end of this year.