Vol. 567 No. 1
314 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if stage 3 of the proposed 72 bed community hospital in Dingle, County Kerry, has been approved by his Department; if funding is available for this project under the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13477/03]
Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Kerry rests with the Southern Health Board. The development of a new 72 bed community hospital in Dingle is being planned by the board under the national development plan, NDP. Agreement has been reached on the purchase of the site for the new community hospital and the legal documentation for the transfer of the site is currently being completed.
A grant of planning permission for the project has been issued by Kerry County Council. Stage 3 of the project, which involves finalising the scheme design and cost plan, is currently being examined by my Department, with a view to completing stages 4 and 5 of the planning process. The project will then be put forward for consideration in the context of the overall funding resources available to my Department under the national development plan.
