Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Developments.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

351 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children in view of his recent replies to parliamentary questions in relation to the equipping, staffing and fitting out of phase 2B of Longford-Westmeath General Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, when the review setting out the scope of the necessary work involved and the programme for carrying out the works will be initiated; if he will give an assurance that there will be no delay in completing phase 2B at Mullingar Hospital, or that these works will not be long fingered as a result of substantial financial commitments given to other hospitals in the Midland Health Board region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9865/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The question of reviewing the brief for the Phase 2B development of Longford-Westmeath General Hospital and drawing up a programme for carrying out the work involved is a matter for the Midland Health Board in the first instance.

The board's priority general hospital developments at Tullamore and Portlaoise are currently being planned, and the timing of the Phase 2B scheme at Longford-Westmeath General Hospital will be considered in the context of a review of the Department's medium term capital programme.