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Hospitals Building Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004

Tuesday, 24 February 2004

Ceisteanna (275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

375 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve a €2.5 million project to provide 30 beds for the care of the elderly at St. Canice’s Hospital, Kilkenny; the staffing costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5770/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for the provision of health services in the Kilkenny area rests with the South Eastern Health Board in the first instance. The board has submitted to my Department a proposal to develop a 30 bed residential unit and day facility for psychiatry of later life and a 22 bed residential facility for the elderly at St. Canice's Hospital, Kilkenny.

My Department is examining the health capital programme for 2004 and beyond to ascertain what new projects can be progressed through either planning or construction stages, taking account of existing commitments and overall funding resources available. It is in this context that my Department will continue to liaise with the South Eastern Health Board regarding the proposed development at St. Canice's Hospital in the light of the board's overall capital funding priorities.

I acknowledge the special interest Deputy McGuinness has expressed in the proposal in St. Canice's Hospital and I will review this particular submission.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

376 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if the land bank identified by the South Eastern Health Board as being surplus to requirement can be sold and the proceeds ring-fenced to provide a 30 bed unit at St. Canice’s Hospital, Kilkenny for the care of the elderly and a special unit for Alzheimer patients at the same location; the legal process involved to achieve this; the plans he or the South Eastern Health Board have to sell the land and their intentions in relation to the proceeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5771/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

My Department will be contacting the chief executive officers of the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority to discuss with them the matter of selling or disposing of land in their ownership during the period of transition to the new health structures. In principle, the funds so generated should be committed to the programme of care relevant to the sale or disposal of the asset. At present the process generally is governed by section 18 of the Health (Amendment) (No.3) Act 1996. Until the meeting above has taken place between my Department and the agencies, I cannot comment further on individual cases but I have asked the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board to reply directly to the Deputy with details of any proposals they may have in relation to St. Canice's Hospital, Kilkenny.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

377 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve the plan of a private operator to provide an MRI scanner at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, which would allow 750 public patients to be dealt with free each year; the outcome of a meeting between Department officials and consultants supporting the project from St. Luke’s Hospital held in November 2003; if the needs assessment report prepared by the hospital was examined by his Department or the South Eastern Health Board; his views on same; if he will examine the project and approve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5772/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The South Eastern Health Board has made submissions to my Department in relation to the provision of a private MRI facility on the grounds of St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny and these are currently the subject of examination by my Department in consultation with the board.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

378 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if the hospital design team has been appointed for projects at St. Luke’s hospital, Kilkenny; if not, if the appointment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5773/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Prior to the selection and appointment of a design team for St Luke's Hospital agreement must be reached between the South Eastern Health Board and the Department of Health and Children on the phasing and size of the development. The project team for the site submitted a draft design brief to my Department setting out the broad scope of possible future developments to be considered on the campus of the hospital.

My Department is at present considering the question of progressing this proposal in the context of health capital priorities under the Government's new capital framework 2004-08 and in line with overall funding resources available to progress individual new capital commitments. My Department will continue to liaise closely with the South Eastern Health Board in relation to the appointment of a design team for capital proposals at St. Luke's Hospital.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

379 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in providing a community hospital on the grounds of St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny; if the plans submitted in 1999 will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5774/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for the provision of health services in the Kilkenny area rests with the South Eastern Health Board in the first instance.

The project team for St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny submitted a draft design brief to my Department setting out the broad scope of future developments on the campus of the hospital, including the first phase of the community hospital. My Department is at present examining the health capital programme for 2004 and beyond to ascertain what new projects can be progressed through either planning or construction stages, taking account of existing commitments and overall funding resources available. It is in this context that my Department will continue to liaise with the South Eastern Health Board regarding the proposed development of a community nursing unit for St Luke's Hospital in the light of the board's overall capital funding priorities.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

380 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made in the provision of information technology systems at the gynaecological unit, St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5775/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The provision of services at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board. Accordingly my Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply directly to him.

Question No. 381 answered with QuestionNo. 371

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

382 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the outstanding issues to be resolved prior to the opening of Birr community nursing unit, Birr, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5777/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

383 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children when he expects to be in a position to confirm the opening date of Birr community nursing unit, Birr, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5778/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 383 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services in the Offaly area is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the Midland Health Board. A sum of €1.2 million has been made available by my Department to the board for the purpose of equipping the new community nursing unit in Birr. I understand that this process has begun.

Issues relating to the appropriate levels of staff for the new unit will be the subject of ongoing discussion between the Midland Health Board and staff representatives. I am, however, hopeful that these discussions can be completed at an early date.

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