Vol. 511 No. 6
298 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children when funding will be allocated to allow the South-Eastern Health Board provide an acute psychiatric care unit, a coronary care unit and community hospital with proper accommodation for the proposed new cat scan unit at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; the timescale envisaged; the schedule for this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25329/99]
Funding for the proposed acute psychiatric unit at St. Luke's Hospital was sanctioned in July 1999. Tenders which have been submitted for the project are currently under consideration and a decision will be made shortly. It is envisaged that the contractors will go on site early next year and that the project will be completed in 2001.
In October 1998 I approved a capital grant of £700,000 for the construction of a coronary care unit at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. I understand from the South-Eastern Health Board that planning permission was sought on 19 November 1999. In relation to the CT scan I understand from the board that planning application drawings and fire safety certificate application drawings are nearing completion following which an application for this development will be lodged with the planning authority.
In relation to the community hospital, a project team has been established, involving representation from my Department, and work is ongoing on the preparation of a brief for this development.
