Vol. 510 No. 2
109 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the long delay in the commencement of work on the health care unit for Cootehill, County Cavan; if money was allocated for the project; if not, when money will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22139/99]
The provision of health centres in County Cavan is a matter for the North-Eastern Health Board in the first instance. Financial support, from my Department for such projects, is given on the basis of available resources, the competing demands on those resources and the priority the relevant health board attaches to the project in question.
I made £65,000 available for this project towards the end of last year. I have been informed by the board that this money has been expended on the acquisition of a suitable site, the employment of an architect, the preparation of a brief and the completion of tender documents. The board has held successful discussions with local interest groups and this has resulted in the brief being significantly enhanced since the original proposal. It is intended to provide a comprehensive range of health and social services from the centre which will be reflective of the current and future needs of the community and will include community care services, primary care services and sessions provided by visiting hospital consultants.
The board has also advised me that it is the process of going to tender this week with a closing date of mid-December. It is the board's intention to award a contract by mid-January and to have builders on site shortly thereafter subject to funding being secured. Unfortunately, Cootehill was not high enough on the North-Eastern Health Board's priority list to be considered for capital funding this year. The project is next on the board's priority list and providing that the board's priorities do not change in the meantime, the provision of financial support will be considered next year in the light of available funding.
