Vol. 531 No. 4
45 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals he is considering for a new hospital on the northside of Dublin; the role of the hospital; the location of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5974/01]
I recently gave approval in principle to the Eastern Regional Health Authority to purchase St. Joseph's private hospital in Raheny, Dublin. Subject to the completion of the sale between the parties involved additional funding, under the national development plan, is being allocated to the ERHA to fund the purchase.
A range of services are being considered for the site, including the provision of specialist and day case services with the aim of reducing the number of public patients currently on waiting lists for treatment. The purchase of St. Joseph's will facilitate additions to the range of services currently being provided by the Northern Area Health Board and other public health service providers in the area. The decision to purchase the facility was taken in the context of the Government's continuing determination to address bed capacity deficits in the health service, both in the acute and non-acute sectors.
