I thank Senator Davitt for raising this important regional issue and thank him for his words of congratulation. I welcome the opportunity to provide an update on recent developments at St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar. The HSE tells me that the hospital no longer has any patients resident within the old main buildings as a result of a programme of relocation undertaken by the HSE. Most of the patients have been relocated to the new acute admissions unit on campus, which has a maximum capacity of 44 patients. Other patients have been rehoused in high-support and medium-support hostels in the community. The patients from St. Brigid's and St. Marie Goretti wards in the building have been relocated to St. Brigid's and St. Marie Goretti wards in the new 100-bed Cluain Lir community nursing unit on the campus of St. Mary's Hospital in Mullingar, which was built and made ready for occupation some time ago. Together, these wards have a maximum capacity of 42. The HSE has progressed the proposed renovation of St. Brigid's block on the St. Loman's campus to accommodate the remaining staff who are currently in the main building in St. Loman's, along with other administrative staff, and this project has now progressed to tender. These renovation works, when complete, will enable the relocation of all remaining staff in the main building. Once the main building is vacated, the HSE will consider the disposal of the main building but will retain the remainder of the campus, which is in use. This disposal of the main building will be undertaken in line with established HSE protocol for the disposal of surplus property. The executive is obliged at all times to obtain value for money when disposing of surplus property assets.
I understand from reports that the Committee of Public Accounts will consider inviting Console to account for itself in light of what we have heard. The Senator could write to the committee and specifically ask it to do that.
