Vol. 508 No. 3
217 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve the second phase of development of the Incorporated Orthopaedic Hospital of Ireland, Clontarf, Dublin 3; if this project has been delayed in view of the impending establishment of the Eastern Regional Health Authority; if so, his views on the disappointment of those concerned with the hospital with this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18994/99]
As the Deputy may be aware, on foot of an initiative from my Department, representatives from the Incorporated Orthopaedic Hospital, Clontarf, and officials from the Eastern Health Board met to discuss the hospital's role within the health board area as a whole. Arising from these discussions proposals were drawn up by the hospital which matched the needs of the Eastern Health Board for the provision of step-down facilities. The provision of these facilities will go a long way to alleviate some of the current difficulties experienced in relation to pressures on beds and will free up beds for emergency admissions. This second phase of the development is under consideration within the national development plan, and I will revert to the hospital and Eastern Health Board as soon as possible. In the interim, conscious of the important role played by the Incorporated Orthopaedic Hospital in north Dublin, my Department was in a position recently to provide a further sum of £55,000 for minor capital and revenue works.
