Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

486 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health and Children if the new hospital building at Blanchardstown is already open with the patients from coronary care and the old unit 7; if surgical A, B and C can move into the new building at no extra cost; if the three existing theatres can move to three new theatres at minimal extra cost; if the extra costs in the new building are for the two extra theatres, the accident and emergency and the ICU; if funding will be provided as a matter of urgency to complete the move that has already begun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25366/03]

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

487 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to management plans to fully open the new hospital building at Blanchardstown between 10 and 30 November 2003; the amount of additional funding which is required to be allocated in 2003 in order for this to happen; the amount of this which will be allocated in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25367/03]

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

488 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is expected that the opening of the new hospital building at Blanchardstown will cost an additional ?6 million per annum; the amount of this which is revenue or capital; the breakdown of costs that led to this figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25368/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 to 488, inclusive, together.

Responsibility for the provision of services at James Connolly Memorial Hospital rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA. My Department has, therefore, requested the authority to reply to the Deputy on the service issues raised.

With regard to the overall project development, my Department is advised that construction of phase 1 of the new hospital development at James Connolly Memorial Hospital is now complete, with the exception of some snagging work which is being carried out by the contractors. This major development is being funded jointly by the Northern Area Health Board – through the sale of surplus lands – and my Department. The projected full project cost is €101.4 million. This includes an amount of €5 million approved earlier this year to facilitate refurbishment works at the hospital which are necessary as part of the transition process to the new hospital and to facilitate a land transfer in line with the project development arrangements.

My Department is advised by the ERHA of recent progress in commissioning the new facilities, including for example, the coronary care unit and the therapeutic treatment centre. The additional revenue required to further commission the new facilities will be the subject of consideration as part of the Estimates process for 2004.